Inform
Welcome to First Church Nashua!
You might be tempted to describe First Church Nashua as a traditional community of faith. We pay attention to depth, beauty and relevance of our Christian tradition. This is especially true in our worship services. Yet we are not bound by heritage, but depend on it to be loving, relational, and applicable to the mission of Jesus Christ in the community and world around us. We reach back to move forward.
The center of our church is the grace of Jesus Christ, and we talk about that a lot. Given that we are clear about our core, we spend little time here worrying about the boundary issues that exclude people. Christ at our center holds our church together just fine.
We have an energetic Sunday School, an active youth program, an outstanding music ministry, and younger families; we also have many retired folks – and pretty much everything in between. We come from many walks of life and have diverse opinions about most of the day’s prevailing issues. Only Christ could hold us all together, and we give thanks for just how wonderfully he does that in Christian love. We also are thankful for the mission and holy purposes to life that we discover here.
We are glad you found us on the web. If after reading this brief introduction, you feel called to learn more about us, we invite you to worship with us adding your story to ours.
No matter where you are in your journey, you are welcome here.
– Learn About The First Church –
Where We’re Located
First Church is located at the northern most end of Main Street in Nashua NH, where Main meets Amherst Street and Concord Street. The church office is located on the second floor of the Walker Building located next to the main church building.
Mail:
1 Concord Street
Nashua, NH 03064
Phone:
(Phone) 1-603-882-4861
(Fax) 1-603-882-1610
Office Hours:
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday, 9a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Summer Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9a.m.-noon & 12:30p.m.- 3:30p.m.
Closed on Sunday
Map
History
First Church was gathered on December 16, 1685 as The Church of Christ in Dunstable. On the same day Thomas Weld was ordained and settled as minister of the church. The current building, built in 1894, is the tenth building to house the First Church Community. In 1961, the church entered fellowship with the United Church of Christ.
Our Building
Situated on the site of the Indian Head Coffee House, which was the “social center of this part of the state” during the last half of the nineteenth century, the current structure was built in 1893 and dedicated on May 17, 1894. An impressive building, with a commanding position at the top of Main Street, the building is constructed of granite from the Marlboro, New Hampshire quarries. The architecture is of the Romanesque style. The tower rises to a height of 118 feet and houses the chime of 15 bells which were exhibited at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 and then purchased and given to First Church by Miss Mary P. Nutt.
The sanctuary was built to seat over 600 people, with additional seating in Chapel Hall.
In 1954 Nauss Hall, named in honor of former pastor Rev. Earl F. Nauss, was built and connected to the main building by an enclosed cloister. This building housed classrooms and administrative offices.
In 1994 the annex building was completely rebuilt, a second floor added, and a new link constructed. The Walker Building, named in honor of Rev. Dr. Paul R. Walker, pastor from 1947 – 1974, contains 15 classrooms, administrative offices, Nauss Hall, the Gail A. Linck Memorial Library, and the Shaw Chapel.
Weddings
The decision to be married is one of the most important decisions two people can make in their lifetime. Marriage in the eyes of the church is the formation of a life-long covenant between the couple before God. The wedding day is meant to be a joyous celebration, but the call of our tradition is that it is “not be entered into lightly or unadvisedly.” For this reason marriage and the process leading to the celebration of the wedding is taken seriously at First Church.
Couples planning to be married at First Church must begin to make arrangements with one of the ministers at least six months prior to their planned wedding date. After discerning that the requested date is available the couple begins a process of three meetings with one of the ministers.
The first session consists of a time of general conversation about marriage, the couple’s history, and hopes and plans for their future. The couple completes a genogram with assistance from their minister The results as a basis for further discussion.The second session consists of a detailed conversation about a couples’ expectation for the marriage with special emphasis on money, intimacy and family.
The third session consists of planning the wedding.
Non-members are welcome to request weddings at First Church. The requirements are that they are both baptized, attend worship for at least three Sundays, and agree to participate in the pre-marital process. For more information on weddings, fees, or to schedule an appointment with one of the ministers please contact the church’s Administrative Assistant.
The Sacraments
First Church Nashua is a member of the United Church of Christ. We are a Protestant community, which means we observe two central sacraments. They are Baptism and the Eucharist (also called communion or the Lord’s Supper). These practices are given to us by Jesus in the Gospels. By employing common things of the earth & water, bread, and the fruit of the vine & the sacraments are outward signs of an inward grace which have sustained Christ’s disciples for over two millennia. First Church practices open communion and celebrates the sacrament monthly.
For a copy of First Church’s “A Guide to the Sacraments: Baptism and Communion”, please call the church office.
Christian Funerals
The death of a loved one, regardless of the circumstances, is a time of significant loss and grief. Because it is difficult to plan appropriately when under the emotional stress of loss, you are encouraged to consider, discuss and even plan in advance the arrangements that will be necessary at the time of your own death or the death of a loved one. This includes decisions about the Christian options of burial, cremation or donation of the body for medical purposes. This guide has been developed to help you pre-plan your own service, or to be of help to family members or friends at the time of a death.
Click on The First Church’s “A Guide to the Christian Funeral”.
Worship Service
Sunday worship at First Church happens at 8:30 AM and 10 AM. The first service is more intimate and aims for 50 minutes. The second service is much more energetic with a children’s message and additional music. Both services consist of hymns and anthems; liturgy, prayers; an offering; scripture and sermon. We consider worship to be the heartbeat of our faith and listen for God’s leading in our lives. We believe God’s Word speaks to our contemporary needs, problems, and opportunities, both in our lives and in the world around us.
How to Find Us
First Church is located at the northern most end of Main Street in Nashua NH, where Main meets Amherst Street and Concord Street. See our information page for more details, including a map.
Where To Park
There is a parking lot behind the church, most easily accessed from Concord Street, but it is also accessible from Lock Street and Orange Street. On Sundays, parking is available in the Front Door lot at 7 Concord Street, and also in the parking lot behind Eaton & Berube Insurance, at 11 Concord Street. There is ample on-street parking in the area as well.
Accessibility
First Church is handicapped accessible; there is an elevator at the court yard entrance which is located in the link between our education and sanctuary buildings. The court yard opens onto the main parking lot. The elevator provides access to all levels of both the education building (the Walker Building) and the sanctuary building.
What To Wear
Come as you are! There is no dress code, but most people probably wear what might be considered ‘office casual’.
Children And Youth
Children and Youth are always welcome at First Church!
For our youngest friends (ages 0-2), we have a state of the art nursery located in the basement of the main building; follow the signs or ask an usher if you are unsure how to navigate. Pagers are available and wristbands are used to make sure everyone gets matched up with their loved ones at the end of the service.
For children aged 3 through 8th grade, our Sunday School meets each Sunday morning, September through June, from 10:00 – 11:15 a.m. Well trained and professionally supervised volunteer teachers seek to create a caring, accepting atmosphere in which to learn about the Bible and the principles of the Christian faith as they apply to living faithfully in today’s world. You can get more information or register at the Christian Education office located on the second floor of the Walker Building.
Ministers & Staff
Joseph Olefirowicz, CAGO
Minister of Music of The First Church/Artistic Director FIRST MUSIC Concert Series
[email protected]
603-882-4862×15
Steve Buck
Sexton
603-882-4861
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ
The First Church is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the United States, the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world. Learn more about our denomination here.
The New Hampshire Conference
We are united in fellowship with the UCC’s other congregations in the Granite State as a church of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. The Conference seeks to educate, guide, challenge, and support the churches and their members as they explore their relationships to God. Learn more about the New Hampshire Conference here.