For over half a century since two churches merged to form one congregation, the United Church of Penacook has viewed community outreach as a primary mission. The church merger took place in the same decade that Penacook began a slow decline from a thriving textile and furniture manufacturing town. As electronics, printing and insurance became the leading employers in New England, more and more small industries closed their doors. United Church of Penacook with its iconic steeple visible day and night from all directions in the village worked steadily to reach those who fell by the wayside in this social and economic shift. This work continues today.

Although the United Church of Penacook was formed and legally incorporated on June 16, 1953, our church history predates this by over a hundred years.

Early Days

Our church began when The Christian Church of Boscawen, Canterbury and Concord disbanded. Organized over time as various memberships and “societies,” the Christian Church was active from 1826 through approximately 1848. Members agreed to organize on the same basis as other churches of the time; that is, “to renounce all unscriptural names by which sectarians are usually known, and contenting themselves with that which was given the disciples at Antioch or any other Which God has given his people; also renouncing all creeds, articles of faith, disciplines, church platforms and covenants written in addition to the Bible; acknowledging God as their Father, Christ, his son, as their Lord and Master, and the Holy Ghost as their Guide, and the Bible as their only and all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, but more particularly the New Testament as their law book for church discipline.” Migratory by nature, most meetings were held in members’ homes at the early stages of the church. Some meetings were conducted in the Union Meeting House of Fisherville, later known as Penacook. Changes in the population along with other religious forces brought about the decline of the Christian Church.

First Baptist Church

In 1841, the arrival of the Brown family was the beginning of the legacy that is today the United Church of Penacook. The Browns came to Fisherville to manufacture cotton cloth in the Contoocook Mill, later known as the Penacook Fibre Mill. Henry was a generous contributor to educational interests as well as other worthy causes. His home, the Ministers Tavern, was used as an underground railroad station for slaves escaping to Canada. His brother John was known as the “most liberal giver to good causes that ever lived in the village,” donating freely to missions, educational interests and the building of the church parsonage.

Strong Baptists, Henry and John Brown established the First Baptist Church in the village of Fisherville. In 1845 they secured the services of Rev. Edmund Worth of Concord as preacher and purchased a store building which they refitted as a church. The church outgrew not only this building but a second one. By 1857 a committee procured plans and raised funds to build and furnish the church. Completed in about a year, the church was called the finest in the state at the time. Built of wood on a granite basement, the church was erected for the whopping price of $18,500 at the northwest corner of Merrimack and Center Streets on land donated by the Contoocook Manufacturing and Mechanics Company. On Sept 8, 1858, it was dedicated with a sermon and prayer by the second pastor Rev. Joseph Storer. The church featured a spire rising above the vestibule to a height of 150 feet and a four-dial clock visible from anywhere in the village and beyond. An additional $10,500 was spent in 1872 to built the parsonage.

Church business was conducted by The First Baptist Society which was organized by 14 original members of the church. In 1872, because of a difference in opinion between the church and the society, about 100 members withdrew to establish the Main Street Baptist Church with Rev J. E. Barr as pastor. This church was active and successful but in 1878 decided to accept an invitation to rejoin the First Baptist Church. By 1898 the church organized as a corporation with a board of trustees and the society transferred all its property to the church for a dollar. First Baptist Church continued to be active throughout the years of its existence in Penacook. Of note was a dedication to missionary services throughout the years as evidenced by the influence of Rev. William H. Allison and his bride who was born in Burma of missionary parents and was the granddaughter of Rev. S. F. Smith author of “America.” During World War I, Rev J. K. Romeyn’s ministry with the church was cut short as he took a leave of absence from his ministry to serve as a private. His name heads an honor roll of 25 men from the First Baptist Church who served our country at that time and other honor rolls list 51 people from this church who entered World War II in the service to our country. During this period the church organized a Sunday school, established a society that helped the needy in both the church and the community, and started a young peoples union to address the needs of the community’s youth.

Two Churches Merge

In 1949, the initial attempt to merge the First Baptist Church of Penacook and the Congregational Church of Penacook failed. Negotiations were later renewed and in 1951 both churches agreed to federate. By March 1952, by-laws were adopted and Rev Oliver Northcott who had been brought in to handle the negotiations and the merger became the “earthly” head of the Federated Church. In June 1953 a dedication service was held for the newly-formed United Church of Christ which was officially recognized by the denominational associations, local churches and civic leaders.

Broadening Community Outreach

During the next two decades, United Church of Christ broadened its community outreach. In response to a crisis in Cuba, the church joined other U.S. organizations to sponsor two Cuban families, the Caneros and Celderans. These families were provide them with a home, food and other services until they could stand on their own in this country. Weekly programs and dinners were started for senior citizens. The church became involved in a student exchange program with Sweden and also sponsored the local Boy and Girl Scout troops.

The 1970s began with a new name for the United Church of Christ. On January 25, 1971, members voted to officially change the name to the United Church of Penacook (UCP). During this decade, the church was used for a kindergarten and annual Ecumenical pot luck suppers with other churches in the area. Late in the decade, UCP participated in the First Apple Festival sponsored by the Religious Education Committee. In this festival UCP reminded the community of its presence as well as the willingness to be an active part of the community with our outreach programs.

The 1980s began with even more significant growth in keeping with the changing times. The Religious Education Committee instituted a Nursery Care Service for parents wishing to attend worship services. In June 1980 a reception, hosted by the Concerned Citizens of Ward 1, was held for Dr. Robert Gabrielli and his family to celebrate his arrival in Penacook as a new community doctor. By-laws of the church were revised and the UCP church council was formed to handle all aspects of church business. During the 1980s, UCP accepted a donation of land between Sanders and Merrimack Streets from the Concord City Council. 1988 saw the lighting of the UCP steeple and clock, an effort supported by the entire community of Penacook.

The 1990s showed growth and improvement as UCP worked to continue its service to the community and the world. UCP began helping with the distribution of World Service kits and layettes which were collected by the Missions committee. Diaconate committee members began taping worship services for distribution to shut-ins looking for inspiration. In 1993 Rev. Gail Whittemore became interim minister at UCP giving her the distinction of being UCP’s first woman minister. The Coins for Camp program, initiated by the Christian Education Committee in 1994, was designed to sponsor “camporships” for children wishing to attend summer camp at Camp Sentinel. This same year the Sunday School once again took up the cause of the Heifer Project designed to help provide livestock to farmers and families in the U.S. and abroad. Between 1995 and 1997, numerous improvements and expansions occurred including the renovation of the church kitchen, the expansion of the lower bathrooms as handicap accessible, and the building of a dish cupboard in the dining area. Property expansion included the parking area in the rear of the church as well as the Walnut Street parking lot. In the late1990s, once again UCP assisted a foreign student who was living in this area by raising funds for her so that she could finish her education in America. Due to an uprising in Indonesia, her financing had fallen through and was unavailable. The church clockworks were repaired, again displaying time for the village of Penacook. Regrettably, the next summer lightening caused severe damage to both the clockworks and the church organ. At the end of the 1990s a disability access ramp was installed.