Spring flowers at side entrance

Entrance to the Thrift Shop

Following a 1½ year process by the Search Committee, the members of the First Congregational Church of Meriden voted unanimously on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002 to extend a call to the Rev. John Clarke to become our sole pastor. He accepted this call and began his ministry here on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002. 

Recently, Rev. Clarke announced that he will retire from this ministry on June 3, 2012. Following a several month process by a new Search Committee, on March 25, 2012 the church congregation voted and called Mr. Bruce Miller to be the next settled pastor here at FCC. 

Following worship service on June 3, a reception honoring John and Maria will be held in Smith Hall, providing an opportunity to thank them for their marvelous ministry during the past 10 years. For details, please click here.

                  Food Pantry Sunday - 903 lbs collected!

On Sun. March 18, 2012, the Christian Outreach Committee of the First Congregational Church of Meriden sponsored its seventh annual food drive to help restock the food pantries at the Meriden Soup Kitchen and New Opportunities of Greater Meriden. A total of 903 lbs. of non-perishable food items requested by these organizations was brought into the chancel by parishioners prior the service, and after weighing and separating for each agency, it was distributed the following day. Our thanks to all who participated.

On Feb. 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm, the church sponsored a New Orleans jazz concert,
performed by John Banker and the "Riverboat Ramblers," with 97 guests attending.
Click here to hear the Riverboat Ramblers

The First Congregational Church, the Taiwanese Christian Church and the Casa de Gozo Church jointly participated in the Christmas Eve service held at 5:30 pm. Traditional Gospel readings were recited in English (Rev. John Clarke), Taiwanese (Mr. Andrew Huang) and Spanish (Pastor Luis Rolon). Welcoming music ("O Sing a Song of Bethlehem") was performed on clarinet by Kevin Ellis and piano by Feng-Hsu Lee (who also arranged the piece). The FCC Handbell Choir performed two solo pieces, and then joined the Adult Singing Choir in an additional number. The pageant unfolded as hymns were sung, and the beautiful service concluded with lighting of candles by all worshipers.

On Dec. 2, 2011, a Celtic Christmas with the Morgans led by Tom Callinan provided a rollicking evening of Irish music and humor to 98 attendees. Energetic sing-a-longs and rhythmic hand clapping added to the mix which produced raucous laughter and hearty applause. Hors d'oeuvres and desserts, along with raffle prizes, added to the the evening's enjoyment.

First Congregational Church of Meriden was honored to host the Ordination of Cynthia Aldrich Stasko on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. Cindy has been a treasured member of this church for seven years as she pursued her Divinity studies. We bid a fond farewell to Rev. Cindy Stasko who has been called to the Olivet Congregational Church in Bridgeport. Congratulations Cindy!