Pilgrim Church of Sherborn Massachusetts
Sherborn's Pilgrim Church
Welcome
We welcome you to Pilgrim Church - United Church of Christ . Pilgrim Church, is a warm, friendly, caring Christian fellowship. Members and visitors come from area towns including Sherborn, Natick, Holliston, Ashland, Bellingham, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Dover, Southborough and Wayland. Our members, who represent all walks of life and denominational backgrounds, come to worship and participate in our many Christian activities. We invite you to be a part of our church family.
We are one of over 6000 congregations nationwide of the United Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination created in 1957 through a merger of the Congregational Christian and Evangelical Reformed Churches.
We invite you to join us in worship, learning, service, and fellowship - a journey inward and a journey outward.
Statement of Purpose:
The purpose of Pilgrim Church is to worship God, to preach and
teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to celebrate the sacraments;
to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and
the Church universal; to render loving service toward humankind,
and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace.
Gathered in 1830, Pilgrim Church is congregational in government,
inclusive in spirit, united in service, and seeks to practice:
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials tolerance, and
in everything love." All are invited to participate in
the Lord's Supper, and the new members are officially welcomed
into our fellowship in November and May.
Ministers: Senior Pastor: Reverend Dr. Kenneth Davis Powell 14 Lamplighter Lane Sherborn, MA 01770 (508) 653-4099 Interim Associate Minister: Reverend Peggy Wallace Address/Phone: 25 South Main Street Sherborn, MA 01770 (508) 655-1667 email: admin@pilgrimsherborn.org website: www.pilgrimsherborn.orgDirections Pilgrim Church is located on Route 27 at the intersection of Sanger Street, Sawin Street and Farm Road Accessibility The sanctuary and entire first floor including Fellowship Hall are wheelchair accessible. Worship Service and Church School September through June Worship Services - Sundays 8:15 am and 10:00 am Sunday School - 10:00 am to 11:30 am (Nursery care provided) July, August Summer Family Service - Sundays 9:00 am No Sunday School (Nursery care provided) Coffee Hour Fellowship follows 10:00 worship every week. Activities There is a place for you in our church. Our many activities include: Women's Association Junior and Senior High Fellowship Adult Bible Study Chancel Choir Men's Discussion Groups Cherub Choir Family Retreat English Handbell Choir Women's and Men's Retreats Junior Handbell Choir Confirmation Class Fall Church Fair Hands-on Mission Projects Night at the Opera Adult Study, Sharing & Support Groups and many social events Kids Klub (4-6 grade) Affiliation United Church of Christ
History:
The Trinitarian-Unitarian controversy in the 1820's resulted in the withdrawal of a majority of church members from the existing First Parish Church and the formation of the Second Parish Church. A Warrant for the formation of a second religious Congregational Society was signed by twelve male residents of Sherborn and on February 22, 1830, the Pilgrim Society, then called the "Sherborn Evangelical Society", was formed. The signers of the warrant were: Daniel Leland, 2nd, Asa Clark, Benjamin Dowse, Amory Babcock, Benjamin Bullard, Aaron Coolidge, Jonathan Eames, Jonas Greenwood, Daniel Leland, George B. Hooker, Walter Barber, and Europe Fay. The new church started with 66 men and women as charter members. The frame of the Pilgrim Church was raised on July 8, 1830, and the building was dedicated in November 1830.
One of the major distinctions of the Pilgrim Church was the pastorate of the Reverend Edmund Dowse, who began his ministry in 1838 and served for sixty-seven years, reputedly the longest ministry in the United States. He also served over 50 years as Chairman of the School Committee, and was instrumental in having the railroad routed through Sherborn. Rev. Dowse was a Massachusetts State Senator for two years and served as Chaplain of the Senate for twenty-five years. His portrait hangs at the rear of the sanctuary over the chair in which he sat in the Massachusetts Senate.
Ministers who have served with the Pilgrim Church:
Samuel Lee 1830-1836 Louis A. Chase 1938-1943 Daniel Talcott Smith 1836-1838 Ernest A. Thorsell 1943-1944 Edmund Dowse 1838-1904 Alfred G. Bliss 1943-1944 D. C. Littlejohn 1904-1906 John K. Hammon 1945-1947 Edward Blanchard 1906-1909 Verne Smith 1947-1951 Amasa Fay 1909-1912 Tristan P. Knight 1951-1953 Henry E. Bray 1912-1918 Gustav Leining 1953-1960 C. Leonard Holton 1919-1923 James E. Turner 1960-1963 Albert B. Reynolds 1923-1929 John Morgan 1964-1972 Mary F. Macomber 1929-1934 Paul Cross 1973-1977 Merritt S. Buckingham 1934-1937 Kenneth Powell 1979-present
Last update (9/15/2003)