Congregationalism began in England, and was brought to America in 1620 along with the Pilgrims.  In 1957 the Congregational Church became part of the United Church of Christ (UCC).

The Bible – We are free to interpret the Bible for ourselves.  This allows for a diversity of opinion within the church on different issues.

Sacraments –

Baptism is offered to infants and adults

Communion (The Lord’s Supper) –

10 a.m. service - served on the first Sunday of each month

        6 p.m. service - served each week

Church Government – Our church is entirely self-governed by our members.  We are also financially self-supporting.

Other denominations & religions – We take part in several ecumenical and interfaith services and events with local congregations, synagogues and mosques.

The First Congregational Church of Bethel was first gathered in 1759 with members meeting in the home of Isaac Hoyt.

In 1760 the first minister, Rev. Noah Wetmore, was called to serve the congregation and the Ecclesiastical Society of Bethel was formed.  Captain Ebenezer Hickok granted land for the building and burial ground, and soon after a meeting house was built.

Among the members of the early church was showman P.T. Barnum.

The original church burned down in 1842, and was rebuilt.  In 1865 the spire of the new building fell in a strong wind.  The meeting house was sold to the town and moved to the other side of the burial ground.  It was used as a town hall for many years and is now the home of the Bethel Historical Society and VFW Post 135.  The congregation built a new pressed brick structure on the site of the original meeting house, where we continue to worship today.  The interior of the current building was damaged by a fire in 1926.  The communion table, which survived the fire, is still in use today.

In 1960, the Beard family donated adjacent land to build the parish house which today houses offices and classrooms.

In 1995 a major renovation of the sanctuary was completed.