No Matter Who You Are or Where You Are On Life's Journey, You Are Welcome Here!
We covenant with God and with one another as members of First Parish Church to be an Open and Affirming Church. We affirm the dignity and worth of every person created in the image of God. We are one body with many members: people of every age, marital status, family structure, faith background, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, racial and cultural identity, and socio-economic status. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we invite all into the full life, ministry, and sacraments of the church. We honor the guiding principle that discrimination is incompatible with Christ's message of unconditional love.
Vision
Following the way of Jesus, we aspire to authentically invite, courageously include, and generously serve all with compassion and grace.
Mission
Following the way of Jesus, we celebrate inspirational worship; create life-changing experiences for children, youth, families, and individuals; and practice meaningful congregational care.
While respecting our diversity, we courageously advocate for justice and mercy, and intentionally respond to the needs of our community and the world.
Facility Rentals
Rental of First Parish facilities are available to church members and the community. Room sizes vary from classrooms to our Fellowship Hall. They may be rented for a one time event or a recurring event.
Please contact the First Parish Office at 207-363-3758 or [email protected] for more information.
Weddings
We invite all couples to consider being married at our beautiful and historic church. It is the perfect setting for your special day! Our pastors are happy to work with you to customize your wedding ceremony.
We celebrate many weddings every year, each with a great deal of care and detail. Our goal is to provide you with a personalized service that reflects the love, commitment, faith and joy you share.
First Parish is a beautiful and historic place to be married. Built in 1747, the church has a simplicity and beauty that works so well for wedding ceremonies. Many find that our church sanctuary perfectly fits their dream of a traditional church wedding. While small enough to be intimate, our sanctuary supports the capacity of 300 people. Most of our weddings are for about 100 guests.
First Parish has an exceptional organist and Director of Music to serve you on this special occasion. We also have a number of excellent soloists. They are happy to sing at weddings and are accustomed to singing with our organists/pianists. Alternately, you can arrange for your own soloist.
We look forward to hosting one of the most memorable and significant days of your life.
Please contact the First Parish Office at 207-363-3758 or [email protected] for more information.
Funerals or Memorial Services
In the United Church of Christ like most Protestant traditions, a funeral or memorial service is an act of corporate worship. God's word is read and proclaimed, hymns may be sung or hopeful music sung. Prayers are offered and time is taken both to share God's promises and to remember the one who has died. The worship service is scheduled at an hour convenient to the family, the church, the pastor, and the funeral home if one is involved.
Graveside services at a local or other cemetery or columbarium may follow the funeral or memorial service in the church, or by special arrangement with the pastor. If the deceased was part of a masonic order or served in the military, representatives of those organizations may be involved in the graveside service when coordinated with the presiding pastor.
Here at First Parish Church, we surround members and friends in the wider community with our heartfelt thoughts and prayers in times of loss and grief. Please contact us at the church office if we can serve your family at such as time as this, or to pre-plan your service if you wish to participate in making arrangements for this last chapter of life.
Please contact the First Parish Office at 207-363-3758 or [email protected] for more information.
Baptisms
In the United Church of Christ, baptism is a sacrament and the ceremony is held during the worship service. We baptize infants, children, and adults. If you would like to have your child baptized (or to be baptized yourself), please contact our Parish office to arrange a meeting with one of our pastors.
When you present your infant or child for baptism, you are vowing to teach your child about Christ. They may choose to affirm their baptismal vows during their teenage years through Confirmation.
You do not need to be a member of this church to have your child baptized here as long as you are part of a faith community in your hometown.
Please contact the First Parish Office at 207-363-3758 or [email protected] for more information.
Our Ministers
Rev. Eric Dupee
Music
Director of Music Ministries, Wendell Scott Purrington
Director of Music Ministries, Wendell Scott Purrington is organist and choir director, has been involved in church music since he began singing in children's choir at age eight and playing the church organ a few years later. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education (voice) from Boston Conservatory, and a Master of Music (choral conducting) from New England Conservatory. He was the choral director for the Portsmouth , NH school district for 36 years, was musical director for six summers at the Prescott Park Arts festival, and has served as guest conductor for several festival choruses in New England. He has directed the Seacoast Community Chorus for over 25 years, and is the co-director of the Fourth street Jazz Choir in Dover, NH At First Parish, Wendell oversees the music program and conducts the sanctuary choir, men's ensemble, and handbell choir. He also coaches and accompanies the women's ensemble. He finds a strong connection between music and worship which helps to link our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits to God through a wide variety of musical offerings.
"When in our music God is glorified, it is as if the whole creation cried: Alleluia!"
Music Associate, Terrie Ilaria
Music Associate, Terrie Ilaria grew up in Lexington, MA and is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Hartt College of Music. She taught piano, voice, special needs music and musical theater classes and accompanied recitals and concerts at music/arts schools in New York City, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. Terrie has been teaching piano and voice at her Steinway Music Studio since 1998 and has worked extensively as music director in area theaters. She lives in Kittery, sings in the Seacoast Community Chorus and has been the First Parish Music Associate for five years. Terrie is an essential part of the Music Ministries team.