2024 COHORT

First Congregational Church, UCC

(United Church of Christ)

Columbus, Ohio

First Congregational Church, UCC in Columbus, Ohio is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden, who served as the congregation’s minister for decades and is considered one of the founders of the Social Gospel movement.

First Congregational Church, UCC Photo by Mark Brown

First Congregational Church, UCC Photo by Mark Brown

2024 Cohort

First Congregational Church, UCC

(United Church of Christ)

Columbus, Ohio

First Congregational Church, UCC in Columbus, Ohio is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden, who served as the congregation’s minister for decades and is considered one of the founders of the Social Gospel movement.

First Congregational Church, UCC (First Church) was established when founding members broke from another local church in order to build a spiritual community that was more vocal in its opposition to slavery. During the Civil War, members and clergy provided aid to troops and supported abolition efforts. Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden served as pastor from 1882 until 1918, advocating for social justice throughout his tenure. Designed in 1931 by noted architect John Russel Pope, First Church is a Late Gothic Revival building situated in the heart of Columbus and is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

First Church regularly opens its facilities to community organizations, and as a result, its building is in near constant use. In addition to hosting community meetings, concerts, and other special events, the congregation organizes food pantry drives, meal programs, and other important outreach services.

A National Fund grant of $250,000 with $500,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation will allow First Church to complete needed masonry and stained glass restoration work.

First Congregational Church, UCC Photo by Jeff McCutcheon

Spotlighting Women’s History at Historic Houses of Worship

Religious institutions have served both as a platform for the advancement of women’s rights and opportunities, and women have played critical roles in advancing religious traditions. The leadership and community building opportunities within these sacred sites have been critical to increasing female independence outside of the home and allowing women to develop institutions that strengthen their congregations and broader communities. The four historic houses of worship highlighted embody positive examples of how the histories of women and religion are inherently linked.

First Church in Oberlin

Stories and Media Coverage

Read more about how the National Fund for Sacred Places is helping congregations around the country rehabilitate their sacred places.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by Luis P. Gutierrez