First Congregational UCC
Buckland MA

01338-9701

Telegram
QR code
×

First Congregational UCC QR code


We found 45 more United Church of Christ churches near Buckland


  • Show 42 more nearby churches
  • Hide


Who we are

Welcome to The First Congregational Church of Buckland - also known as The Mary Lyon Church.

We are pleased your journey of faith has led you to this moment of connection with our faith community.

If you are searching for a church home, we invite you to worship with us, ask questions, tell us what you are looking for in a church, and share your story of faith with us.

As a community of Christian believers, our life together begins as we worship God. Out of that center, we try to create an atmosphere where all are welcome to bring their full selves into relationship with God and one another. As Congregationalists, we affirm the notion of "soul freedom", which implies that each person is responsible for theological reflection that shapes and directs their lives. This is a place where we can reflect together on God's presence in our lives, individually and collectively.

Our hope is that in this context of worship and support each one of us will be empowered to develop and use our gifts in God's service, both here and in the community. So please, walk with us as we struggle, celebrate, grow, mature, and joyfully serve our God in justice, mercy, and love.

  Edit




Location of worship

First Congregational UCC
17 Upper St
Buckland, MA 01338-9701
United States
Phone: 413-625-9440
Download First Congregational UCC vCard with Service Times
Click here to contact the church   Edit

Church Pastor

Richard T. Fournier
Richard T. Fournier
Pastor
17 Upper St
Buckland, MA 01338-9701
United States
Phone: 413-625-9440
Download Pastor Richard T. Fournier vCard with bio
Click here to contact Richard T. Fournier   Edit



Denomination

United Church of Christ



United Church of Christ logo
  Edit

Affiliations

  Edit

Church Website


First Congregational UCC on Social Media

  Edit


Leadership

Leader Name:
Richard T. Fournier   Edit
Leader Position:
Pastor   Edit
Formal Title:
  Edit
Leader Address:
  Edit
Phone:
Fax:
  Edit
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Richard T. Fournier   Edit
Leader Bio:
We are pleased to welcome the Reverend Richard T. Fournier as our new settled pastor. Rev. Fournier’s first Sunday worship service at the church was August 5th at 10:30am.

Fournier went to Boston Latin High School and earned his B.A. at Colby College in Waterville ME. He was ordained in 1982 after graduating magna cum laude from the Boston University School of Theology with a Masters of Divinity Degree. In the twenty five years that have followed his ordination, Rich has been the faith leader of small and large churches in both rural and city settings.

In Cummington he was Pastor of Village Church and West Cummington Congregational and he was Senior Pastor at Old First Church in Springfield, MA. Reverend Fournier has served as Protestant Chaplain at Mount Holyoke College and was the Founder and Director of Taproot Center in Northampton where he worked to establish a Spiritual Life Resource and Education Center, led retreats, and hosted interfaith dialogues. For the past three years Rich has been the Interim Senior Pastor at United Congregational Church of Holyoke.

Before entering seminary, Rich worked in several programs to help troubled youth in the eastern part of the state and in Springfield. Youth ministry has remained a particular interest and strength. Rich said he has recently played basketball with Holyoke teens and didn’t get laughed off the court. Rich stays interested in sports having coached his daughter’s soccer team for several seasons. Over thirty years ago (and he adds, over thirty pounds ago) Rich ran the Boston Marathon.

In 1997, Rich got involved with international programming to help people with disabilities through the Polus Center for Social and Economic Development. He has traveled to Central America over twenty times, as well as to Ethiopia and Zambia in Africa. He continues to be involved in this ongoing mission work.

Rev. Fournier led this year’s (2007) remembrance ceremonies at the cemeteries in Buckland Center as part of the annual Hat ‘n Sock Memorial Day Parade. A resident of Northampton, Fournier said he hopes to move closer to the Buckland area in the near future. He says when he’s not involved with his pastoral work for the church, he’ll be looking for opportunities to lead and teach small groups on a variety of secular and spiritual subjects.   Edit
  Edit
Other Church Leaders:
  Edit

Leadership Photos



Administration

Admin Name:
  Edit
Admin Position:
  Edit
Admin Address:
  Edit
Phone:
  Edit
Fax:
  Edit
Admin Email:
  Edit

Mailing Address

PO Box 87
Buckland, MA
01338-0087   Edit

Driving Directions to First Congregational UCC

A From:
B To:
17 Upper St, Buckland, MA
Mode of Travel:




Travel/Direction Tips

From Shelburne or Ashfield, follow Route 112 towards the center of Buckland. From either north or south, turn west onto Upper Street. Follow Upper Street to the crest of the hill. The church is located at the juncture of Upper Street and Charlemont Road. There is ample parking in front and around the church.   Edit


Parking

Please share parking information and/or parking experience!   Edit


First Congregational UCC Service Times

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30AM
Year-Round

It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.

Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
print
PRINT
increase font size
ZOOM
add to calendar
ICAL
subscribe to updates
SUBSCRIBE
  Edit


Share this page:
Telegram
QR code
×

First Congregational UCC QR code


Worship Languages

  Edit


Dress Code

  Edit


Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities

Under 12s:
  Edit
Under 18s:
  Edit

Local outreach & community activities

  Edit

Other activities & ministries

  Edit

Special Needs/Accessibility

  Edit

Prayers and Hymns

Main Bible:
  Edit
Hymns and Songs:
  Edit


Other information

Average Adult Congregation:
  Edit
Average Youth Congregation:
  Edit
Additional Info:
  Edit


First Congregational UCC Church Buckland Photos




First Congregational UCC History

Brief History of the Mary Lyon Church

The First Congregational Church of Buckland was organized in October 1785 with eighteen members.

The erection of the church building, which is known to have contained a balcony and box pews, was completed in 1800. In 1846 this building was remodeled and enlarged. It was also raised in order to provide a hall beneath the sanctuary, in which the town meetings were held for a period of about forty years. The roof had very little alterations. The massive trusses of the original building can still be seen in the attic. Although built at the end of the 18th century, the construction looks backward in style and has some features in common with the roof construction of the famous 17th century “Old Ship Church” in Hingham, Massachusetts.

In 1907 the interior of the sanctuary was equipped with metal sheathing on the walls and ceilings. The pews, which are being used today, were installed, replacing a set which had been in use since the removal of the box pews. Other changes during the 20th century included the installation of memorial windows in the sanctuary in 1909 and an electric organ in 1958.

Mary Lyon, founder of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, has been the church’s most distinguished gift to the world. Miss Lyon was baptized and received membership in 1822. Through the generosity of an admirer, a memorial tablet was placed on the south wall of the sanctuary, above the central door. It is altogether fitting that this church should be known as “The Mary Lyon Church”. The tribute to Miss Lyon should be accompanied with an equally grateful tribute to the host of men and women of lesser fame, living and dead, who have helped to make the church what it is today.

On January 3, 1961 the church voted to join the United Church of Christ.

If you would like to know more about Mary Lyon, please click on the following link to learn more about this important local and national figure: www.mtholyoke.edu/marylyon/

  Edit


First Congregational UCC Historical Photos

First Congregational UCC FAQs

Question: Where is First Congregational UCC located?
Answer: First Congregational UCC is located at 17 Upper St, Buckland, Massachusetts.

Question: Who is First Congregational UCC's pastor?
Answer: First Congregational UCC's pastor is Richard T. Fournier.

Question: What time is service at First Congregational UCC?
Answer: SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30AM Year-Round

Question: How can I get to First Congregational UCC?
Answer: From Shelburne or Ashfield, follow Route 112 towards the center of Buckland. From either north or south, turn west onto Upper Street. Follow Upper Street to the crest of the hill. The church is located at the juncture of Upper Street and Charlemont Road. There is ample parking in front and around the church.

Question: What is First Congregational UCC's website?
Answer: http://www.marylyonchurch.org

Question: What denominaiton is First Congregational UCC?
Answer: First Congregational UCC belongs to United Church of Christ denomination.

The power of Christian prayer "The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him".
John Climacus
First Congregational UCC listing was last updated on the 14th of January, 2020
Subscribe to Updates
Please enter the correct information below. Thank you!
Subject:
Message:
Your Name (not required):
Your Email (not required):
This church page is missing service times. Please help this page visitors by submitting First Congregational UCC Service Times. Thank you!
Subject:
First Congregational UCC service times
Message:
Your Name:
Your Email:
First Congregational UCC Contact Form
Subject:
Your Name:
Your Email:
Message:
Subscribe to updates:
check this box to receive an email message when this page has been modified
Subscribe to First Congregational UCC updates
Subject:
Subscription to First Congregational UCC updates
Your Name:
Your Email:
As soon as First Congregational UCC updates this page, you'll be notified by email.
Go to top arrow Go to bottom arrow