December 29, 2009
Written by Gregg Brekke

When Old First UCC in Springfield, Mass., decided to close its doors after 370 years in ministry, there were a few questions to be answered.

At the top of the list for long-time members was how the church would honor its legacy and who would be the beneficiary of the sale of its property and liquidation of its assets?

With a spirit of generosity, the congregation and those charged with making these decisions have donated substantial financial resources to many ministries, including over $250,000 to the UCC's New and Renewing Churches Endowment Fund.

The church officially ceased worship at the end of 2007. Upon closing they voted to give back to the community and help partner ministries. An advisory council met monthly to wrap up the loose ends of church business and traverse the difficult legal process of dissolving a non-profit corporation. Their work culminated with the distribution of church proceeds during the last half of 2009.

"The ministry of your church is not over," said the Rev. Stephen Sterner, executive minister of Local Church Ministries, in an email to the congregation expressing thanks for their gift. "Every church and every person that receives the blessing that will come from your generous gifts will be a continuation of the faithfulness and ministry of your church and the whole church."

In addition to the gift to the UCC, Old First gave generously of its nearly $1.8 million in proceeds to the Community Foundation of Western Mass., the Northeast Farmworker's Council for Fuel Assistance, the Community Music School of Springfield and other Springfield churches and ministries. Congregation members hope these gifts will keep the spirit of their church alive and provide for the upkeep of their historic building.

A spirit of vitality permeates the conversation from those who loved, and yet grieve the loss of, the congregation formed in 1636. "Many of our members have found new church homes, and they are already actively participating in their programs," said Bob Walker, chairman of Old First's Board of Trustees.

From the height of the congregation's life in the mid-1950s where over 1,800 gathered to worship, in its final year only 85 were regular participants. Changing demographics meant more people were worshiping outside the city limits where this church – a city-center spiritual and civic hub – had stood for nearly four centuries.

"As we are painfully aware, funding for church development and assistance for struggling churches is greatly needed," said Susan Saunders, moderator of Old First. "Indeed, our prayer is that other congregations will be assisted in order to avoid closure."

The Rev. David Schoen, minister and team lead for Congregational Vitality and Discipleship, noted that several church – including two Massachusetts congregations – are already benefiting from these funds. "I'm glad to share with you that two congregations in Massachusetts are currently being funded as they seek to be renewed," he told Old First's advisory group.

Information on the UCC's New and Renewing Churches Endowment Fund is available at the Congregational Vitality website.

United Church of Christ News Service