"For the body is not one member, but many."
(1 Cor 12:14)

The History of the Church

On November 11, 1747, just one year after the town of Douglas was founded, 23 people met together to draw up a covenant for religious organization. That fellowship of Christian believers was proclaimed lithe Church of Christ in Douglas. Two of the three original selectmen for the Town of Douglas were among the charter members of the Church.

The first meetinghouse was originally located directly on the common. Though they had yet to finish construction, it was dedicated in 1748. On October 26, 1833, the town voted to build a new meetinghouse on or near the common. With the quarter acre of land deeded by Samuel Dudley to the renamed Congregational Society of Douglas, the present church building was erected.

In 1893, the members met to vote to incorporate the church and changed its name to First Congregational Church of Douglas. The Church Body has gone through changes of names, new locations for meetings, 42 pastors, and an ever-flowing membership, yet still exists 260 years later.

In December 2006, it was discovered that one of the main beams supporting the church's structure had split. The members of the Body needed to find another place to worship immediately. Through this experience, the First Congregational's fellowship of Christian Believers was able to find that it didn't matter where they met; what was important was to remain a Body of Christ to worship and serve Him and each other. It became evident that its not about buildings, it is about building relationships with God and people. We are now back at the church building for our Sunday morning worship services.
The First Congregational Church of Douglas has had many iterations over the years, but one thing has always remained the same: Devotion to building a relationship with God. We warmly welcome you to come worship with us and to join in the joy of hearing the Word, regardless of location.

God's Vision for our Church Body:

To be a gospel-preaching church:

To bring the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in Douglas and to the surrounding towns of the Blackstone Valley through a variety of outreach ministries; through our missions program, to bring the light of Christ to our world. (Rom 10:8-15; Matt 28:18)

To be a nurturing and disciplined fellowship

To build up, disciple, encourage, and care for the people of our body through home caring groups, corporate worship, and the preaching and teaching ministry of our Church. (Eph 4:7-16)

To be a loving and worshiping family

To love and deeply appreciate old and young alike as Christ has loved us, to come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. (1 John 4:7-21; John 4:24)

To be a Bible-preaching congregation

To preach the Word in and out of season so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17; 2 Tim 4:2-5)

To be a praying people

To pray at all times with thanksgiving for effectual and fervent prayers that avail much. (Phil 4:4-7, James 4:13-16)

To be a spirit-filled body

To be filled with the Holy Spirit using the spiritual gifts Christ has given us for the edification of the body, the holiness of living, the unity of the Church under Jesus Christ our Head. (Eph 4:1-15; 5:1-20; Gal 5:16-26) We acknowledge that it is not by might nor by power but by His Holy Spirit who says that the Lord and His work can and will be accomplished. (Zech 4:6)

To be a sending church

To send forth laborers into the fields of Gods vineyard as full-time ministers of the gospel. (Luke 10:2; Matt 9:38)

STATEMENT OF FAITH

I.The Bible is the inspired, infallible word of God. It is our authority and guide in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; Rom 10:17)
II. There is one Triune God. He eternally exists in three distinct and co-equal Persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (Deut 6:4; 2 Cor 13:14; John 1:1-2, 18; Matt 3:16,17)
III.The eternally, pre-existent Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, became flesh being born of the Virgin Mary. Thus He is fully God and fully human, both natures being whole, perfect, and distinct. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross, shedding His blood as payment for the sins of the world. He was bodily raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes for us. He will return again personally and visibly to judge the living and the dead. (John 1:1-2, 14, 18; 3:16; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Col 1:15-20; Rev 20:11-13)
IV.The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Triune God. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit is given to an individual, upon profession of faith in Christ as Lord. He helps the believer by giving spiritual gifts that enable him/her to follow Jesus and carry on the work of Christ in the world. (John 16:7-11, 13; Eph 1:13-14; 1 Cor 12:4-11)
V.All have sinned, resulting in a broken relationship with God and the penalty of death. We are guilty under the judgment of a Holy God. Only through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ can the relationship between God and humanity be restored. (Rom 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Gen 3; Eph 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-8)
VI.At the end of the age, Christ will return. The bodies of the dead will be raised. The believers in Christ will enter the eternal presence of God and the unbelievers will be condemned to eternal punishment and death. (1 Peter 4:5; Matt 24:30-31; Rev 20:11-13; 20:1-4; 1 Thes 4:13-18)