Founded in 1743 with the Rev. Dr. Samuel Hopkins, a noted anti-slavery advocate and co-creator of the New Divinity Movement with Jonathan Edwards. The church’s current stone structure along with adjoining parish hall, parsonage and carriage house were all constructed in 1882. Moving away from its strict Puritan & Calvinist beginnings, First Church progressively has become more open and inclusive. Among the church’s most notable members is W.E.B. Dubois, who also received financial support from First Church to attend Fisk University. In 1957, with the merger of the Congregational Christian churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Church, First Congregational became part of the United Church of Christ. At its annual meeting of January 16, 1964 the following motion was made and passed: “The church declares officially and publishes that its fellowship is open, as it has been, to all who qualify for membership, without restriction as to race, class or ethnic background.”