First Congregational Church (United Parish - United Church of Christ)
121 First Street NW
Hillsboro, Traill County, North Dakota 58045
121 First Street NW
Hillsboro, Traill County, North Dakota 58045
From a tiny body of 18 persons and their meager resources but great determination the present United Church of Christ was founded over 73 years ago.
On June 25, 1891, a council of Congregational churches was held in the Methodist Church of Hillsboro. Mr. C. L. Leslie of Hillsboro addressed the group, presenting them with a letter signed by 27 Hillsboro citizens asking that a new church be formed here. Eighteen signified that they wished to become members, thus forming its beginning.
On July 12, 1891, Rev. Wm. L. Burdick of East Greenwich, R. I. answered a call to become the first pastor of the church.
Dedication of a new church was made on May 29, 1892, at which time it was completed and debt free.
Rev. Burdick resigned from the pastorate here a month after the church was completed. A student from the Hartford Theological Seminary supplied the pulpit until October of that year, when Rev. C. Y. Snell was hired.
To date the church has been served by 26 pastors.
In 1957 the Congregational Churches in America voted to become the United Church of Christ with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches. In June of 1963, the state conference of the Congregational churches dissolved and declared itself now to be the Conference of the United Church of Christ in North Dakota.
In the summer of 1963, the old parsonage was sold, and a beautiful parsonage built in the east section of Hillsboro.
The congregation to date has a membership of some 140 members. The Rev. G. Robert Backer came as pastor beginning September of 1963.
Information - The Old Settlers' Memorial Monument Ass'n, Inc., Presents: A Look into the Past (page 85)
On June 25, 1891, a council of Congregational churches was held in the Methodist Church of Hillsboro. Mr. C. L. Leslie of Hillsboro addressed the group, presenting them with a letter signed by 27 Hillsboro citizens asking that a new church be formed here. Eighteen signified that they wished to become members, thus forming its beginning.
On July 12, 1891, Rev. Wm. L. Burdick of East Greenwich, R. I. answered a call to become the first pastor of the church.
Dedication of a new church was made on May 29, 1892, at which time it was completed and debt free.
Rev. Burdick resigned from the pastorate here a month after the church was completed. A student from the Hartford Theological Seminary supplied the pulpit until October of that year, when Rev. C. Y. Snell was hired.
To date the church has been served by 26 pastors.
In 1957 the Congregational Churches in America voted to become the United Church of Christ with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches. In June of 1963, the state conference of the Congregational churches dissolved and declared itself now to be the Conference of the United Church of Christ in North Dakota.
In the summer of 1963, the old parsonage was sold, and a beautiful parsonage built in the east section of Hillsboro.
The congregation to date has a membership of some 140 members. The Rev. G. Robert Backer came as pastor beginning September of 1963.
Information - The Old Settlers' Memorial Monument Ass'n, Inc., Presents: A Look into the Past (page 85)