First Congregational UCC Vancouver WA
98665-0508We found 9 more United Church of Christ churches near Vancouver
Who we are
Vancouver United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian church serving Clark County and southwest Washington. You are welcome regardless of where you are on life’s journey. We are Open and Affirming, Immigrant Welcoming, a Just Peace Church, and are in a covenant partnership with the MCC of the Gentle Shepherd and Martha’s Pantry.
Every Sunday at 10 am, we worship in our gorgeous sanctuary. Please join us and experience what sets our faith community apart. We have childcare available, as well as a prayground for families with very small children. You are all welcome here!
Every Sunday at 10 am, we worship in our gorgeous sanctuary. Please join us and experience what sets our faith community apart. We have childcare available, as well as a prayground for families with very small children. You are all welcome here!
Church Address
1220 Ne 68th St
Vancouver,
WA
98665-0508
United States
Phone: 360-693-1476
Fax: 360-693-0522
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Church Pastor
Minister
1220 Ne 68th St
Vancouver,
WA
98665-0508
United States
Phone: 360-693-1476
Fax: 360-693-0522
Download Minister Jennifer Garrison Brownell vCard with bio
Click here to contact Jennifer Garrison Brownell
Denomination
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ churches in Vancouver, WA
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Affiliations
Church Website
First Congregational UCC on Social Media
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Leadership
Leader Name:
Jennifer Garrison Brownell
Leader Position:
Minister
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Phone:
Fax:
360-693-0522
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Jennifer Garrison Brownell
Leader Bio:
Pastor Jennifer Garrison Brownell received her MDiv at Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry in 2002, and since then has worked as a pastor at churches in Seattle, Portland, and now Vancouver. You can find her writing in her memoir Swim, Ride, Run, Breathe: How I Lost a Triathlon and Caught My Breath; the UCC Daily Devotionals, Revgalblogpals, and very sporadically on her blog.
She is passionate about the joyful inclusion of all people in worship, especially LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities and children. Jennifer loves to explore many kinds of prayer experiences herself and to invite others to explore as well. Jennifer loves to watch sci-fi reruns and hang out on beaches with her son Elijah and their two ridiculous dogs.
She is passionate about the joyful inclusion of all people in worship, especially LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities and children. Jennifer loves to explore many kinds of prayer experiences herself and to invite others to explore as well. Jennifer loves to watch sci-fi reruns and hang out on beaches with her son Elijah and their two ridiculous dogs.
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Minister Jennifer Garrison Brownell
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Administration
Admin Name:
Elizabeth Spannring
Admin Position:
Office Administrator
Admin Address:
Phone:
Fax:
360-693-0522
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Elizabeth Spannring
Mailing Address
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First Congregational UCC Service Times
Sundays at 10:00 am
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
Dress Code
Dress how you are comfortable – you will see a variety of fashion from bib-overalls to dresses and ties.
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility
Prayers and Hymns
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First Congregational UCC Church Vancouver Photos
First Congregational UCC - Vancouver, Washington
Children's Christmas Program 2012
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First Congregational UCC History
Vancouver UCC is a place easy to feel at home, even when its home is changing.
Organized originally in 1891 by a group of Vancouver people with a desire for a liberal church home, the church has gone through several names and locations in its lifetime. Regardless of what it has been called or where it has been located, the Vancouver UCC is at the intersection of justice and faith.
An early church document notes that “our membership has, from the beginning, been characterized by strong lay participation.” That willingness by our members to pitch in and help, regardless of the task or situation, has made all the difference in both the work we are able to do as well as who we are able to be as a church in our community.
The original church was a group of twenty Vancouverites, meeting at the Knights of Pythian Hall. Their first service was on February 22, 1891 and they called themselves “The Pilgrim Congregational Church.” Over time, people came and went, but eventually in November of 1905, the church re-energized and reorganized itself as the First Congregational Church. Land was purchased at 14th and Main Streets and the original church building’s cornerstone was finally laid on May 15, 1910.
The congregation worshiped in that building until the late 1950s when the decision was made to relocate. It was a time when the whole world was looking to the future and the First Congregational Church of Vancouver was no different. In 1959, their iconic building was designed to gather their community while evoking the spirit of God in a cathedral-like setting. Some view the church as a dove while others view it as an ark. And it was in this deeply symbolic building that First Congregational Church evolved into the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) of Vancouver.
From 1961 until May 25, 2016, the First Congregational UCC of Vancouver provided Vancouver and SW Washington with a voice for God’s people and a place for those people to put into action. They were Open and Affirming, a Just Peace Church, marched for Marriage Equality, and supported local environmental and labor issues. And then in the early morning hours of May 25th, an arson fire consumed the western end of the building. The fire destroyed the roof’s iconic stained glass window as well as the sacristy. First Congregational UCC of Vancouver continued to worship in rented spaces and under a white tent on the property. While the church building is being updated to meet current congregational and building code needs, the church also embraced the nickname of “Vancouver UCC” which is how the church is often noted in the conference and community. Never have our tireless volunteers been more of a help than while we’ve been “homeless.”
In spite of being without a building for two years, the Vancouver UCC is proud of their continued tradition to share the love of God and teachings of Jesus Christ to the community of Vancouver and SW Washington. This is a place we are happy to call home and where we are always happy to make another space at Christ’s table of grace.
An early church document notes that “our membership has, from the beginning, been characterized by strong lay participation.” That willingness by our members to pitch in and help, regardless of the task or situation, has made all the difference in both the work we are able to do as well as who we are able to be as a church in our community.
The original church was a group of twenty Vancouverites, meeting at the Knights of Pythian Hall. Their first service was on February 22, 1891 and they called themselves “The Pilgrim Congregational Church.” Over time, people came and went, but eventually in November of 1905, the church re-energized and reorganized itself as the First Congregational Church. Land was purchased at 14th and Main Streets and the original church building’s cornerstone was finally laid on May 15, 1910.
From 1961 until May 25, 2016, the First Congregational UCC of Vancouver provided Vancouver and SW Washington with a voice for God’s people and a place for those people to put into action. They were Open and Affirming, a Just Peace Church, marched for Marriage Equality, and supported local environmental and labor issues. And then in the early morning hours of May 25th, an arson fire consumed the western end of the building. The fire destroyed the roof’s iconic stained glass window as well as the sacristy. First Congregational UCC of Vancouver continued to worship in rented spaces and under a white tent on the property. While the church building is being updated to meet current congregational and building code needs, the church also embraced the nickname of “Vancouver UCC” which is how the church is often noted in the conference and community. Never have our tireless volunteers been more of a help than while we’ve been “homeless.”
First Congregational UCC Historical Photos
Knights of Pythian Hall
First Congregational UCC - Vancouver, Washington
May 25, 2016 fire
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Help me to avoid every sin
Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today, To the rising of this life itself; may it be to Thine own glory, O God of every gift, and to the glory, aid Thou my soul. With the aiding of Thine own mercy, even as I clothe my body with wool, cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing. Help me to avoid every sin, and the source of every sin to forsake, and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills, may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.
First Congregational UCC listing was last updated on the 2nd of November, 2019
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