The “Church at the Green” was organized December 26, 1694 as the “First Church of Christ in Middleborough.” Its organizers were the sons of the Pilgrim Fathers, nine of whom were transferred from the parent church at Plymouth. Eight were original members of the Twenty-Six Men’s Purchase (the first purchase of land from the Indians), and all were living here at the time of the Town’s incorporation in 1669.

The Articles of Christian Faith accepted by the congregation followed those laid down by John Robinson, Pastor of the Pilgrim Church in Leyden, Holland. Only thirty-one parishes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are older than the First Church of Christ in Middleborough, and of those this church is one of the few to still hold to an evangelical faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the full inspiration and authority of the Scriptures.

The first meetinghouse stood about one mile northeast of the present site on Plymouth Street. It was built in 1680 by the town and stood for twenty years, being demolished in 1701 and sold for five pounds and two shillings.

The second meetinghouse was erected across the street in front of where the Green School House now stands. Built in 1700, it served the church for over forty years. Luke Short worshipped in this building, joining the church when he was over one hundred and living to the ripe old age of one hundred sixteen. He was present at the beheading of King Charles the First in 1649, and he had seen Oliver Cromwell. Samuel Prince also worshipped here. He was one of the Majesty’s Justices and the son-in-law of Governor Hinkley.

The third meetinghouse was built in 1745 and stood about one hundred fifty yards east of the present building. This was the beautiful building that witnessed much of the local action during the dark days of the Revolution. Judge Peter Oliver, the last Chief Justice under the British King and second only in importance to Governor of the Colony, worshipped here. Others who have worshipped in this third meetinghouse included Lieutenant Governor Andrew Oliver, Governor Bowdoin, Thomas Prince, Benjamin Franklin, and Sir William Temple. In 1746 George Whitefield preached powerfully in this meetinghouse. It is said that the building was so crowded that Whitefield had to climb in through a window behind the pulpit.

The present building is the fourth meeting house of the church located at or near the Green. It was built in 1828 as a cost of $12,000 to $13,000. The expense was covered chiefly by the sale of pews. Daniel Webster called it “the most beautiful church in New England.” The architect was Deacon James Sproat, one of the foremost architects of his day, who joined the church in 1816 and became a Deacon in 1833. The meeting house was dedicated in 1829 with the dedicatory sermon preached by Rev. Lyman Beecher, father of Henry Ward Beecher. The trompe l’oeil (“fool the eye”) was applied to the interior walls in 1855 and restored in 1968. The tracker organ was installed in 1887 and pumped by hand until 1950 when an electric blower was installed.

In the 1950’s when the General Council of Congregational Churches voted to merge with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ (UCC), the First Congregational Church chose not to join in that merger and instead joined with other congregational churches in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC). In 1993 the church also joined with the churches of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC).

By the 1960’s the church had declined significantly and church services were being held in the chapel. Then in 1969, the church called Manfred Kohl, a recent graduate of Gordon Divinity School (now Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) to be its pastor. Under Manfred’s ministry, a new chapter in the life of the church began. Manfred preached the Gospel with clarity and zeal, and he introduced a strong emphasis on global missions. Many people came to know the Lord and the church grew rapidly. The Christian Education Building was erected, largely with the volunteer help of the congregation, and a strong emphasis was placed on ministry to children and youth. And so it has continued since.

By God’s grace, this church has continued in His service for over 300 years. By His grace may this church continue to serve the Lord until he comes.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!”