Who We Are
We are a Congregational church - meaning we are democratically run. Our pastor is our spiritual leader, while the people operate the church. Together we listen for the direction the Holy Spirit is leading us, and work together to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ as best we can every day. We all contribute to make this a place of shared ownership and vision.
We believe that leads us to worship with spirit, care for one another, support our neighbors in need, and welcome everyone to our doors. We have been an Open and Affirming, LGBTQ+ supporting church since 2011.
We take our role as a hub in the center of town as a privilege and an opportunity to build a world full of Christ’s compassion, love and justice. We work with partners to host Scouts, 12-step recovery and support groups (AA, MA, Al-Anon), community musical programs, a childcare center and more.
There are plenty of ways to find out more about First Church. You can attend a worship service any Sunday morning at 10 am, check out our calendar and join us for an upcoming event, or email our pastor, Rev. Andrew Wicks, for a chance to chat and ask questions.
Our History
Since 1739, First Church has sat on the Woodbridge Green as a center for community life and Christian faith. In fact, the town of Woodbridge is named for our first pastor, Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge. While our history is nearly 300 years old, we are a modern church meeting the spiritual and human needs of people in the 21st century. People come to First Church from Woodbridge, neighboring towns, and beyond, for a variety of reasons.
Whether you are looking for a sanctuary for rest and healing, a village to help support your family, a loving community working to make the world a better place, or a space where you can ask thoughtful questions about life, purpose and God, you will find there is a place for you here.
Frequently asked questions
Open, Welcoming, & Affirming
Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
As members of the First Church of Christ, Woodbridge we invite all to join us with these words “No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life's journey, you are welcome.” As Jesus taught his followers to love and accept all people regardless of their differences and diversity, we affirm and celebrate all who choose to join with us. Each one of us is unique in the eyes of God.
In that we have been embraced by this church community and have experienced a belonging that has brought us all such joy, we extend our welcome to others to share our blessings. There is a place for everyone in the life of this church. Therefore, we welcome people of any age, race, gender, nationality, religious background, sexual orientation, economic status, marital status, physical, emotional, and mental capacity, and those in traditional and non-traditional families.
We invite all to participate in the full life of this church: to share in the sacraments of baptism and communion, the covenants of confirmation and marriage, in membership, and in leadership. We will continue to put our beliefs into action as we work to become faithful followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who commanded us to love one another.
We strive to live by these words as we approach each of the missions
With this statement, we join our brothers and sisters in the United Church of Christ who are like-minded in this declaration of love, justice, and mutual respect, with the example of Jesus’ love as our guide.