Who We Are

Welcome

Welcome to First Unitarian Church, a historic Unitarian Universalist church in the heart of Worcester. We are a vibrant and welcoming congregation committed to living out our mission to honor the sacred, connect with one another, and serve justice within our community and our world.

Whether you are looking for the next step on your spiritual journey, our programs for children and youth, the beauty of our music, or adult faith development classes, we are sure to have something to offer you and a way for you to share your gifts with the world. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our Covenant

Flaming chalice surrounded by slips of paper with virtues written on them

In the love of truth
And in the spirit of Jesus
We unite for the worship of God
And the service of all.

The Covenant is the agreement among the members that creates and defines the First Unitarian Church of Worcester. The Covenant was adopted by the congregation on December 18, 1898. At every worship service, we renew our covenant by repeating it together.

OUR MISSION

Wayside pulpit with rainbow flag in front of First Unitarian Church

In loving fellowship we strive to

Honor the sacred

We worship together in the sacred space of our sanctuary through the spoken word and music. We are committed to nurturing the spiritual lives of our children.

Connect with each other

We choose to live in community. We are called to be present to one another in suffering, to risk being uncomfortable, and to celebrate the holy in each other and in the world around us.

Serve justice

We are committed to standing on the side of love and justice for our fellow human beings and all the earth. We are committed to caring for the global environment and future generations.

(Adopted January 31, 2016)

Visiting us

Wayside pulpit in front of First Unitarian Church with cherry tree in bloom

We are located at 90 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. Parking for the church is on State Street in either lot, in any numbered spot. On-street parking is also available on Main Street, State Street and Harvard Street. Accessible parking is on Court Street, against the north side of the church and behind the building.

The accessible entrance is off Court Street. Our building is accessible via elevator, and accessible restrooms are on the first floor. There are assistive listening devices available for services in the sanctuary.

OUR history

Children and teachers on the front steps in the 1920s

Since 1785, First Unitarian Church (Second Parish in the Town of Worcester) has been a home for liberal religion in Worcester. We have worshiped in a meetinghouse on Court Hill since 1823. Members of this church were among the commonwealth's earliest leaders, including Isaiah Thomas and Levi Lincoln. From the insistence on promoting the moral responsibility of humankind in the 18th century, through support for women's rights and abolitionism in the 19th, to the commitment to ethical progress in the 20th, and full inclusion of all people and identities today, First Unitarian Church has always been a home for liberal religious thought. You can read more about the history of our building here, or check out The Fruits of Our Labors: The Bicentennial History of the First Unitarian Church of Worcester, 1785-1985 by former minister Walter Donald Kring from our church library.

See you soon!

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