Photo Take by Skip Belcourt                                                                                                                 1/27/2007

The History of the First Congregational United Church of Christ

The Lake Helen Congregational Church was founded in 1887. It was the first church to be built to accommodate the spiritual needs of the people of a new city. The ten organizing men and women wished to worship according to the "Congregational Way".

Architect J. P. Mace was hired to construct the building on the pine covered lot at the corner of Euclid and Main Street. Cost, including the spire, was $2,850. On April 8, 1888, the doors to the new church were opened. The gingerbread trim makes it reminiscent of New England. The building not only served as a place of worship, but a public meeting place as well.  The only other public building at the time was the log School House.

The Congregational Christian Churches and Evangelical and Reformed Churches united in 1957, to become the United Church of Christ.