Edwards Church has a rich history
In 1827, the Saxonville Religious Society was incorporated as a congregation in the growing town of Saxonville. That year, the Society erected the present wooden church building, which served as both a place of worship and as a community hall.
Almost 175 years later, we continue to worship in our original sanctuary.
In 1834, the Saxonville Religious Society formed Edwards Church as a Trinitarian congregation which became part of the Congregational tradition. The founders named the church after Jonathan Edwards, a noted 18th century theologian and evangelist of the Great Awakening. They chose this name as a reflection of their commitment to being a Christ-centered church.
In 1905, the structure was enhanced by the addition of electric lights and an organ. Built in the mid-19th century, this organ is one of very few three manual tracker organs in existence.
In 1957, along with many other Congregational Churches, Edwards Church voted to become part of the United Church of Christ.
In 1960, the church constructed Edwards Hall, to provide classroom space and a hall for social events.
In 1974, Edwards Church called its first woman as a settled pastor, Rev. Elizabeth Hambrick-Stowe. At the time, this was a very unusual occurrence. In its own quiet way, Edwards Church has often been in the forefront of social issues.
In February 2000, Edwards Church voted to become an Open and Affirming Congregation, reflecting its commitment to being welcoming to all people.
In September 2002, as we celebrated our 175th Anniversary, we dedicated our Education Building. This new building, which is fully accessible, helps us live out our commitment to being welcoming to all people. It provides bright, warm Sunday school classrooms for our children, a fellowship hall with a kitchen for community gatherings, a place for our choir to rehearse, and more.
In 2011, Edwards Church began developing a new outreach to the community: Open Spirit: A Place of Hope, Health & Harmony. Open Spirit is a multi-faith center whose mission is to celebrate and strengthen our connectedness, promote healing and wholeness, and offer spiritual nourishment.
In 2016, Edwards Church and Grace Church merged together to be one stronger community. Together as one church, we reach out to the community to care for people who are suffering, to care for our planet, and to work for justice and healing.
Edwards Church has a promising future:
When our congregation most recently engaged in a Visioning Process to gain insight to where God is calling us in the future, some important insights emerged. Our mission as a church is to be a “Renewing, Embracing, and Engaging” congregation.
Renewing: We gather to be renewed by God’s spirit, and we seek to be constantly renewing our faith and our commitment.
Embracing: We embrace one another in the love of God, and we seek to offer God’s embrace to those in need.
Engaging: We are engaged in caring for God’s world, and we seek to be part of offering healing and hope to our broken world.