Union Congregational Church Historical Timeline

Pastors:

• 2021 - present: Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Crouch
• 2019 - 2021: Rev. Annie Britton (interim)

Notable Events:

• 2021: Sale of Parish House and replacement of church roof
• 2020: Global pandemic of COVID-19 required the church to implement video recording and live streaming of worship services

Pastors: 

• 2013 - 2019: Rev. James Conley
• 2012 - 2013: Rev. Ken Armentrout (interim)
• 2007 - 2012: Rev. Derek VanGulden

Notable Events:

• 2017: Congregation voted to adopt an Open and Affirming UCC designation
• 2013: Congregation voted to take on responsibility for running the East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry

Pastors:

• 2005 -2007: Rev. Esther Rendon-Thompson (interim)
• 1997 - 2005: Rev. Marcia M. Cham

Notable events: 

• 2004: New chairs and tables in vestry. New parking lot.
• 2003: Basement structural infrastructure completed. Kitchen and handicap bathroom built
• 2002: Beginning of 3 year capital improvement. Lexan installed on windows, asbestos removed

Pastors:

• 1997: Rev. Malcolm J. Burmmitt (interim)
• 1996: Rev. Roy D. Colby (interim)
• 1992 - 1995: Rev. Victoria M. Smith
• 1991-1992: Rev. Richard Hutton
• 1989 - 1991: Rev. Frederick H. Lane III

Notable events: 

• 1994: New steeple was raised

Pastors:

• 1988 - 1999: Rev. David Williams (interim)
• 1981 - 1988: Rev. Kent Allen
• 1980 - 1981: Rev. Gordon Kennison (interim)

Notable events: 

• 1987: Current Parsonage was built
• 1984: 3 year renovation was completed - siding, protected stained glass and sanctuary updated

Pastors:

• 1969 - 1980: Rev. George Chapman

Notable events: 

• 1959 - 1975: Vietnam War

Pastors:

• 1968 - 1969: Rev. Dr. Andrew Richards 
• 1962 - 1968: Rev. Robert Harding
• 1959 - 1961: Rev. Frederick S. Strasburg

Notable events: 

• 1963: North side classrooms added

Pastors:

• 1958 - 1959: Rev. Dr. Horace Hatten (interim)
• 1953 - 1958: Rev. M. James Workman
• 1949 - 1953: Rev. Warren E. Stewart

Notable events: 

• 1955: Area under vestry was excavated for classroom and storage - Workman room
• 1951: Leland Room was added on
• 1950 - 1953: Korean War

Pastors:

• 1946 - 1949: Rev. Harold Bodie
• 1942 - 1946: Iris L. Kerr (interim)
• 1939 - 1942: Rev. Owen W. Kerr

Notable events: 

• 1939 - 1945: World War II

Pastors:

• 1939: Rev. Charles E. Beals (interim)
• 1936 - 1939: Rev. Loring B. Chase
• 1933 - 1935: Rev. Albert G. Jenkins

Notable events: 

• 1934: Excavating for bowling alley - became a storage area

Pastors:

• 1928 - 1933: Rev. William M. Parker
• 1923 - 1927 Rev. Fosdick B. Harrison
• 1919 - 1923 Rev. Simeone E. Cozad

Notable events: 

• 1929 - 1939: The Great Depression

Pastors:

• 1910 - 1919: Rev. Herbert W. Boyd

Notable events: 

• 1914 - 1918: World War I

Pastors:

• 1908 - 1910: Rev. Jesse J. Yost
• 1901 - 1908: Rev. W. S. A. Miller

Notable events: 

Pastors:

• 1898 -1900: Rev. Granville Yeager
• 1893 - 1898: Rev. Frank H. Palmer
• 1891 - 1893: Rev. Matthias S. Kaufman

Notable events: 

• 1898: Church steeple was lost during the Great Portland Gale
• 1894: Stables were added
• 1891: Pews were added - organ brought down from the balcony

Pastors:

• 1880 - 1890: Rev. Perley M. Griffin

Notable events: 

• 1884: Organ was purchased
• 1883: Vestry was built for Sunday School and social uses

Pastors:

• 1874 - 1879: Rev. Daniel W. Richardson
• 1870 - 1874: Rev. Austin Dodge

Notable events: 

Pastors:

• 1868 - 1870: Rev. Jeremiah K. Aldrich
• 1862 - 1866: Nathaniel H. Broughton
• 1860 - 1862: Rev. Henry D. Woodworth

Notable events: 

• 1861 - 1865: US Civil War

Pastors:

• 1851 - 1860: Rev. Philo B. Wilcox
• 1850: Rev: Swift Byington (interim)
• 1849 - 1850: Rev. Cyrus Stone

Notable events: 

Pastors:

• 1849: Rev. Ebenenzer Alden, Jr (interim)
• 1827 - 1849: Baalis Sandford

Notable events: 

• 1845: Completed house was dedicated on 1/1/1845
• 1844: Fire destroyed building - new building was built and steeple raised
• 1835: Bell was installed
• 1827: Meeting House built on same foundation as our sanctuary 40' x 50'
• 1827: Town of East Bridgewater established