HISTORY & CURRENT STATUS

Central Congregational Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, was established in 1852. An Open and Affirming Global Mission Church, Central is open to all regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental facility, economic circumstance, or physical condition. We strive to be a community of God's people in a way that calls each of us to active discipleship through worship, caring, sharing, and outreach.

Central has a long-standing commitment to mission and action, so the church is always ready to help the helpless and give hope to the hopeless – locally, nationally, and internationally. Central has not only formed ongoing partnerships with Camp Street Ministries, Amos House, and Sojourner House and many other local non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations; but also sponsored refugee families and sent mission workers and aid to Haiti, New Orleans, South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation, and other areas in need.

One of the unique ways that Central engages in the local community is Hamilton House, which is owned by CCC and donated for the use of one of the first Senior Citizen Centers in RI. This enables those living at home to have a hot meal, socialization, and adult education as well as fitness classes, etc. so they can remain independent and yet not isolated.

Central participates in, and often hosts, the Interfaith Thanksgiving celebrations which bring together Episcopal, Baptist, and Jewish congregations, local Black churches, Catholic parishes, and the Vedanta Society. They have also hosted Iftar to share the tradition of Ramadan across the Providence faith community. Chapel Hall, a communal space adjacent to the sanctuary, has also been the home for the Eid Celebration (end of Ramadan).

Central has been known for its thoughtful and timely sermons that inspire members long after they have left the Worship Service. Sermons that are able to thread the needle on issues surrounding politics, emphasizing our commonalities as Christians rather than our differences have been an important part of how the church has been able to maintain its membership and influence. While the critical mass of members appreciate this approach, there are strong voices in the congregation expressing criticism that the ministry is either too progressive or not progressive enough.

The church has emerged from the pandemic in solid financial shape, with a balanced budget and a strong endowment, with 535 members, of whom around 300 are active. A major indicator of the support of the congregation was the ability to complete a $1.2M campaign to renovate Chapel Hall to offer a modern space, welcoming and functional for both our own events as well as those offered to the local community. This project was completed this past fall.

The physical space is in excellent shape, although a building of its age always has issues that need to be addressed. There is a high degree of consensus that the renovation, which also included an art gallery and adjacent restrooms, achieved its goal of positioning Central as a lively, active church poised for future growth.

The people who attend Central are generally well-educated professionals who are civically engaged. The church does draw from a wide geographic area beyond Providence, including parts of Southeastern Massachusetts.