Church Timeline

Church Timeline

First Congregational UCC Coloma timeline

1853                Local group organizes Community Church Society. Rev. William Osborn minister
1854                Rev. Thomas Jones minister. Land purchased for $50.00
1855                Construction started on Greek Revival Style church.
1856                Rev. E. A. Rowe
1859                Church completed and dedicated. Named Union Church. The Congregationalists
                 held Sunday morning services, and the Methodists Sunday afternoon services.
1859                Church records form 1959 to 1874 are missing. During this time Name was
                 changed to First Congregational Chruch of Watlervliet, date unknown.
1861                Dr. H. M. Marvin donated bell from packet Mantazuma that had sunk near South
                 Haven. Exact date unkonwn. The Mantazuma sunk in 1860 or 61.
1861                A company of the 12th Michigan Infantry spends night in church on its way to the
                 southern battle fields. Exact date unknown.
1874                Rev. Coburn minister.
1876                Rev. Bush minister.
1877                Rev. B. W. William interim minister.
1878                Church name becomes First Congregational Church of Coloma.
1879                Rev. P. B. Parry minister.
1879                Ministers salary was $250 a year. $100 raised localy and $150 from Home
                 Missions board.
1881                Rev. Willis Parsons minister.
1883                Rev. Charles Evans minister.
1885                A group withdraws to form Pilgrim Congregational in Watervliet.
1887                Rev. William Dada minister.
1888                Formation of Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeovor.
1891                The Ladies aid decides to pay janitor 50 cents a month.
1895                Rev. Childs minister.
1896                Rev. L. G. Herbert minister.
1900                Rev. S. A. Long minister.
1903                Rev. I Terborgh minister.
1905                Rev. W. E. Skentlebury minister.
1907                Rev. P. M. France minister.
1908                Rev. W. O Stephenson minister.
1911                Furnace installed in hole dug under church. A trap door and ladder provide
                 access to the furnace.
1912                Rev. W. H. Fuller minister.
1916                Basement excavated under church, steeple replaced, and front porch added.
1916                New larger bell replaces bell from Mantazuma
1921                Rev. W. E. Goltz minister.
1921                Church is renamed First Community Church.
1929                Rev. J. H . Balfor minister.
1930                Basement flooded walls caved in.
1933                At the depth of the Great Depression, the Church struggles to meet it's financial
                 obligations.
1936                Church and members participate in State centennial celebration
1936                Rev. L. G. Herbert returns for Union Church Service at High School for centennial.
1937                Church rejoins Michigan Congregational Conference.
1937                Church name changed back to First Congregational Church of Coloma.
1937                Rev. Ray Utterback minister.
1940                Rev. H. "Bud" Loomis minster.
1943                Rev. Loomis is ordained Nov. 23rd
1944                Rev. Lawrence Johnson minister.
1945                Rev. Johnson is ordained June 26th.
1945                Nov. 5th Fire damages church, loss estimated at $2600.
1945                Women's Fellowship Organized as successor to Ladies Social Union which had
                 replaced early-day Ladies Aid Society.
1946                Plans to restore church and add on are started. Project estimated to cost
                 $25,000.
1948                Rev. Ralph Everroad minister.
1949                Cornerstone laid for Fellowship House addition
1949                Young men of church build chancel furniture for restored sanctuary.
1950                Fellowship House addition dedicated.
1950                Parlor named Furman room for Cora, Marjoy, and Marie Furman who's gift
                 furnished the room.
1957                Rev. Walter Price Interm minister.
1957                Carillon chimes are purchased for the church. It plays from a paper roll like a
                 player piano.
1958                Rev. Malcom Washburn minister.
1958                Morgage for Fellowship hall addition paid in full and burned.
1962                Rev. Douglas Mitchell
1963                Rev. Mitchell is ordained Oct. 20th.
1964                Church votes to join newly formed United Church of Christ.
1965                Small pipe organ installed to replace old reed organ.
1966                Rev. Jack Richards minister.
1966                Small Kitchenett added upstairs.
1966                Name of church changed to First Congregational United Church of Christ.
1966                Rev. Richards is ordained October 30th.
1967                Restrooms remolded.
1968                Sanctuary carpeted.
1970                Rev. John Lepke minister.
1972                Mastri property purchased for Parsonage and parking lot.
1974                Rev. Stanley Buck interim minister.
1974                Rev. Eric Lund minister.
1975                New parking lot paved
1976                Basement Kitchen remodled.
1979                Rev. Robert Davis interim minister.
1980                Rev. Dr. Paige Birdwell
1980                New pews installed.
1982                New windows installed in basement.
1985                Basement carpeted.
1986                Allen Electronic organ repalces pipe organ
1987                Barrier free ramp started.
1989                Chair lift and Barrier free improvements dedicated.
1989                Home coming celebration with many former members attending from distant
                 places.
1990                Electronic Carillon system installed
1990                Church enters the computer age with first computer.
1991                Six area Church Ecumenical Spring Sing.
1992                2nd Six area Church Ecumenical Spring Sing.
1993                Six area Church Ecumenical Christmas Sing.
1994                Rev. Robert Davis interim minister.
1995                New Century Hymnals purchased.
1995                Rev. Sandi Nesbit minister.
1996                Rev. Nesbit ordained June 23rd.
1996                Peace Pole placed and dedictaed.
1996                Rev. Richard "Dick" Means interim minister.
1997                Make a Difference Day project wins Local award.
1997                Rev. Ann P. Slade minster.
1998                We join Parish Nurse program with Suzi Blough as Parish Nurse.
1998                Heating boiler replaced and air conditioning installed.
1999                Randall Park Playground built in May
1999                We go online with web site www.colomaucc.org.
2000                New lighted sign installed.
2001                Make A Diffrerence Day project wins State award
2001                Community Health Fair with Methodist church.
2001                Sanctuary and Furman room remodeled.
2002                Community Soup Suppers started to help fund Food Pantry.
2003                Year long celebration of our 150th aniversary begins.
2003                Community Soup Suppers enters second year.
2003                "A loving spiritual community affirming the gifts of all God's children" is adopted as
our defining statement.
2004                Church voted to become Open and Affirming
2006                Church called The Rev. Kevin J McLemore to become Pastor
2007/8             Congregation sent 10 members on first-ever mission trip to Biloxi, MS for
                 hurricane clean-up