Who We Are

Where We Came From

Open and Affirming

Our Statement

We, the members of the Gilead Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, believe all people are created in God's image. We take seriously the command Jesus teaches us, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbors as yourself." (Luke 10:27) We also seek to live out Paul's admonition to the Church that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

Seeking to follow this command as well as establishing our unity in Christ, we invite and welcome into our community of faith persons of every gender, race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical and mental ability, educational background, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, marital standing and family structure.

In this community of faith, all people are encouraged to participate and share their talents and energy in worship and sacraments, leadership positions, learning, service, mission and fellowship as we week to grow together in faith and love and be witnesses in out community and world of Jesus' inclusive love. 

Therefore, we declare ourselves to be an "Open and Affirming Church." No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome in this community of faith.


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Our History

1747            Petition to separate from the Hebron Society granted
1748            Bounds of Parish laid out by the Colonial Legislature
1749            First Meeting House built where present one stands
1751-1797  First settled minister called - Rev. Elijah Lothrop
1798            Missionary Society of Connecticut organized in Hebron
1825            Church bell installed
1829            Sabbath School Association of Gilead formed
1838            Second Meeting House built
                     First Meeting House torn down
1861            Parsonage built
1889            Voted to organize a Young People's Society of Christian     
                     Endeavor
1892            Gilead and Hebron Churches formed a yoke Parish
1923            Women admitted to membership in the Ecclesiastical
                     Society
1928            Electricity turned on at the Church (June 2, 1928)
1938            100th Anniversary of Church building celebrated with a
                     historical pageant
1943            Dissolving of Ecclesiastical Society
1948            200th Anniversary of the Church building with a special
                     service
1952            Dedication of the Sunday School Room addition
1961            Parish House purchased for Sunday School and Office use
1964            Men's Fellowship organized
1970            Major remodeling of the Sanctuary following a fire in 1969
1973            Yoked Parish dissolved
1995            Restoration and renovation of the Austin pip organ
1998            Major renovation of the Parsonage
2006            First women minister called - Rev. Denise Esslinger
2008            Garage built at the Parsonage
2010            Fellowship Hall addition and renovations dedicated
2010            Part-time Minister of Mission position created
2012            Position expanded to Minister of Mission and Faith
                     Formation
2013            Steeple repaired with windows and light installed
2014            Mortgage for building addition and renovations paid of