Rehoboth Congregational Church

The history of our congregation has been entwined with that of the town of Rehoboth since 1643. The Reverend Samuel Newman, from Hingham, Massachusetts, along with others, established the settlement and erected the first meeting house on the east bank of the Ten Mile River, and called the town "Rehoboth" (Genesis 26:22).

The congregation was known as the Newman Congregational Church , which is now located in Rumford, Rhode Island. As the town expanded, many of the descendants of the early settlers moved east of the Palmer River, some distance from the Newman Church. Wanting to worship regularly, they petitioned the General Court in Boston to have the town divided into two precincts for the support of the ministry. The Pastor, the Reverend David Turner, and ten founding members of the new congregation completed a new meeting house, the "Palmer River Church", on Lake Street in present day Rehoboth and the congregation was organized on November 29, 1721.

The two congregations remained until 1759 when the division of the precincts was allowed by the general court. The original meeting house of the new congregation was replaced in 1773 with what was called the "Yellow Meeting House", in what what is the Rehoboth Village Cemetery today. The third meeting house, our present sanctuary, was completed in 1839 and was known as the "The Church in the Barnyard". The stained glass windows were added in 1906; and the pipe organ in 1910.

The new education wing and fellowship hall were completed in 1985; and at that time the facilities were made accessible to all persons. This connection continues today. We are enriched by our long history and tradition in the town of Rehoboth, but are excited by how new members are adding their stories and experiences to create a dynamic future! This sense of community continues to make a difference in lives today.

Rehoboth Congregational Church - United Church of Christ
139 Bay State Road, Rehoboth, MA 02769  508-252-4545
Home . Contact . Directions