Community Congregational United Church of Christ
Pinckney, MI 1840 - Present
In June, 1840, twelve Putnam Pioneers met at the schoolhouse and after a sermon by Rev. H.H. Northrope, a church was organized to be known as First Presbyterian Church of Pinckney. Prior to this time, this section had been served by circuit riders with services being held in private homes.
In 1848 the church name was changed to the First Congregational Church of Pinckney. Five years later in 1853 a lot was donated on the west corner, in the block where the church now stands, by Dr. Charles Haze to build a church. The records show that it was to be completed by October 1856 for the sum of $1500.00 of “lawful money”. The contractor was Benjamin Eames. The church was dedicated in 1855.
In 1879 there were 145 church members, 112 males and 33 females.
In 1897 the church accepted the gift of a lot from Miss L.M. Lee. She stipulated that the property was to be the site of a new parsonage. In 1905 the church was remodeled. Large double doors were placed in the center of the front of the building as well as other upgrades. A re dedication service was held on October 1, 1905.
In 1914 there was another name change when the Methodist merged with the Congregational Church and it was renamed the Federated Church of Pinckney.
In 1922 the name went back to the First Congregational Church of Pinckney. The Methodist Church on the east end of the block was purchased and remodeled in 1925 for $2500.00 and again the name changed to Community Congregational Church. The North Hamburg Congregational Church united with our church (that is the church on Swarthout Rd.) Prior to the churches uniting, the minister served both churches and had to drive his horse and buggy on those muddy roads.
In 1956, Pilgrim Hall was built for $56,000. It was paid off in 1962.
In 1965, the parsonage was built where our minister now resides.
In 1966, Community Congregational Church voted to join the United Church of Christ, a denomination formed with the uniting of the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In 1983, we tore down the old church and built the new church with plans for phase II to connect it with Pilgrim Hall. The church was dedicated in Sept. 1985 and the cost was $360,467.00.
On June 7, 1992, a dedication service was held for our Phase II project, connecting Pilgrim Hall to the church. The total cost was $244,234.00, which made Pilgrim Hall barrier free. In 1995, the Sunday school rooms in the church basement were completed.
In 1998, we celebrated 150 years. We dressed in old fashioned clothes and had a great celebration.
In 2008, we were blessed to be able to remodel our kitchen and to carpet Pilgrim Hall. Much of the work was done by church members and decisions made by committee. Our church is a source of many community events and welcomes all in the spirit of love and acceptance.
In 2021, our church officially became an ONA (Open and Affirming) Church. Our church ministry and building is open to all no matter where you are in your life's journey.
Pinckney, MI 1840 - Present
In June, 1840, twelve Putnam Pioneers met at the schoolhouse and after a sermon by Rev. H.H. Northrope, a church was organized to be known as First Presbyterian Church of Pinckney. Prior to this time, this section had been served by circuit riders with services being held in private homes.
In 1848 the church name was changed to the First Congregational Church of Pinckney. Five years later in 1853 a lot was donated on the west corner, in the block where the church now stands, by Dr. Charles Haze to build a church. The records show that it was to be completed by October 1856 for the sum of $1500.00 of “lawful money”. The contractor was Benjamin Eames. The church was dedicated in 1855.
In 1879 there were 145 church members, 112 males and 33 females.
In 1897 the church accepted the gift of a lot from Miss L.M. Lee. She stipulated that the property was to be the site of a new parsonage. In 1905 the church was remodeled. Large double doors were placed in the center of the front of the building as well as other upgrades. A re dedication service was held on October 1, 1905.
In 1914 there was another name change when the Methodist merged with the Congregational Church and it was renamed the Federated Church of Pinckney.
In 1922 the name went back to the First Congregational Church of Pinckney. The Methodist Church on the east end of the block was purchased and remodeled in 1925 for $2500.00 and again the name changed to Community Congregational Church. The North Hamburg Congregational Church united with our church (that is the church on Swarthout Rd.) Prior to the churches uniting, the minister served both churches and had to drive his horse and buggy on those muddy roads.
In 1956, Pilgrim Hall was built for $56,000. It was paid off in 1962.
In 1965, the parsonage was built where our minister now resides.
In 1966, Community Congregational Church voted to join the United Church of Christ, a denomination formed with the uniting of the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In 1983, we tore down the old church and built the new church with plans for phase II to connect it with Pilgrim Hall. The church was dedicated in Sept. 1985 and the cost was $360,467.00.
On June 7, 1992, a dedication service was held for our Phase II project, connecting Pilgrim Hall to the church. The total cost was $244,234.00, which made Pilgrim Hall barrier free. In 1995, the Sunday school rooms in the church basement were completed.
In 1998, we celebrated 150 years. We dressed in old fashioned clothes and had a great celebration.
In 2008, we were blessed to be able to remodel our kitchen and to carpet Pilgrim Hall. Much of the work was done by church members and decisions made by committee. Our church is a source of many community events and welcomes all in the spirit of love and acceptance.
In 2021, our church officially became an ONA (Open and Affirming) Church. Our church ministry and building is open to all no matter where you are in your life's journey.