Welcoming All Since 1847
Welcome! I’m so glad you took the time to explore our website and learn more about the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor. The people here are loving, welcoming, and kind-hearted. At FCC we walk this journey as a faith family; we pray, we doubt, we celebrate, we mourn, and we work for justice together. We claim always to be seekers but not holders of the truth. We have been a welcoming and inclusive community of faith since 1847. Come join us on a Sunday and experience the worship and community for yourself. Remember, whatever your story, you’re welcome here.
-Rev. Dr. Darcy Crain
To learn more about membership and becoming a member, please click here.
About The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor
We are a member-directed church located in the heart of Ann Arbor. We are an embracing and affirming faith community. When we say “Whatever your story, you’re welcome here,” we mean exactly that. Whether you’re a lifelong Christian or a follower of another faith, we strive to create an uplifting environment that celebrates each person’s individual and unique spiritual walk with love and support. Worship with us in-person or online. Click on the buttons below to learn more about our values, staff, history, and outreach.
Our Mission
We are a beacon of God’s love, hope, and Christian freedom.
What is Congregationalism?
As Congregationalists, we believe in the freedom and right of each person to have their own individual and personal relationship with God. As a local Congregational Church, we are locally autonomous. We, the congregation, govern our own ministry, hire our own clergy, own our own property, envision our own call to service and worship, and define our own values and vision. There is no ecclesial authority over us. As seekers, not holders, of truth, we agree to honor each other’s interpretation of the Bible and personal faith journey. We seek to affirm one another along life’s pathway while being held together by unconditional love.
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Where Do I Park?
There is a small church parking lot reserved for those with mobility issues and visitors directly behind the church. Street parking is free on Sundays. There is a U-M surface lot near the church, accessible off Thompson Street. There is also a parking structure on Maynard Street which is free on Sundays.
What Will The Service Be Like?
The 9 a.m. service is very casual and has a coffeehouse vibe. The 10 a.m. service follows a more traditional order of worship, including unison readings, prayers, and hymns. Both services last approximately 50 min. to 1 hr. Summer worship is at 10 a.m. and utilizes a variety of traditional and contemporary musical and liturgical elements.
9 a.m. Change of Pace Service: Located in Pilgrim Hall, this service is very casual and gives off a coffeehouse vibe
9:30 a.m. Chapel Communion: Located in the Douglas Chapel, this is concise service offering the weekly sacrament of communion along with a hymn, scripture passage, brief meditation, and a prayer. It runs concurrently with the 9 a.m. Change of Pace service, but concludes before the 10 a.m. service begins.
10 a.m. Traditional Worship: Located in the Sanctuary, this service follows a more traditional order of worship, including unison readings, prayers, and hymns. Our weekly church school, newborn through high school, meets during the 10 a.m. service time.
11 a.m. Friendship Time: Located in Pilgrim Hall, this is a time for refreshments and friendship with members and guests after the 10 a.m. service.
*Both 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. services last approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Is There A Dress Code?
There is no dress code. On a given Sunday you will see everything from suits to jeans in both worship services. Please join us in whatever is comfortable for you.
Where Do My Children Go During A Service?
Nursery care is available for children newborn-2 years old with screened and consistent childcare workers. If you’d like to keep your infant or child with you in worship, you are more than welcome to do so. Please feel free to move about during the service as needed.
Church school begins with preschool (3-5 years) and continues through high school. Preschoolers may be dropped off before the service and checked into their class, or they are welcome to participate in Children’s Circle ( 10 a.m. only). Children’s Circle is a time when children are invited to come forward with the pastors for a special children’s message towards the beginning of the service.
Afterward, the children are invited to church school. Parents are welcome to walk down after children’s circle to see where their child will be during worship. Following the service, parents pick their children up from the lower level Christian Education wing.
Further questions? Please contact FCC Kidz.
Who Is Welcome?
Everyone is welcome… infant, child, and adult. Whatever your story, you’re welcome here.
Who Is Invited To Take Communion?
The communion table is open to anyone who seeks and responds to Christ’s love. That includes children, adults, baptized, unbaptized, members, and non-members.
Do You Have A Stance On LGBTQ Inclusion?
We believe that all people are created in God’s image and welcome all people into the full ministry of our church, including all sacraments, leadership roles, and the ritual of marriage.