FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

A Site Visit to First Congregational Church of Boulder, Colorado



Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to highlight the important description of the site visit to The First Congregational Church of Boulder, Colorado. The paper will highlight the various schools of thoughts in religion of Christianity and deliberate the discussion to Congregational Church movement. The main focus of the research paper will be on the visit details of the first Congregational Church, its background, structure of the building, choir groups, regular events and its staff members.

A Site Visit to First Congregational Church of Boulder, Colorado

Introduction

Boulder is the 11th most populated city of Colorado. It is also the county seat. According to US Census Bureau, 97385 people reside in this city. According to Pew Forum, the state of Colorado has approx 64% Christians and rest belongs to other religions including Jewish and Islam. Out of this 64% people, 44% are Protestant, 19% are Roman Catholic, and remaining 3 percent belong to either Latter Day Saint or Orthodox. First Congregational Church of Boulder is affiliated with United Church of Christ (http://religions.pewforum.org). The religious place I paid a site visit to is famous Protestants Church of Boulder which also happens to be the first Congregational Church of Boulder.

Discussion

Like any other religion of the world, Christianity also inherited supporters whose interpretation of the holy biblical varies. There are three schools of thoughts or groups in this religion, Roman Catholic, Protestantism and the eastern Orthodox churches. Protestantism is relatively new group which got separated from the Roman Catholic during 16tth century. Except for few small groups, all school of thoughts belief in creed that is statement of faith. All major groups also believed in Holy Trinity which states that God comprises of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.

The term, 'Congregationalism', refers to the movement arose in late 16th century in England. It engaged divine position among between Presbyterianism and Protestantism. It advocated the right of autonomy for all churches to run its day to day affairs without taking consent of higher authorities like Bishop. According to this, each distinct church is regarded as autonomous and independent (Encyclopedia of Britannica).

United Church of Christ (Protestant) was formed in 1957 and its constitution was formulated in 1961. The constitution guaranteed the autonomy to all local churches in their day to day affairs. Both congregationalism and Presbyterianism are part of its governing body. The purpose of the UCC is to engage people from all kinds of communities in church affairs and removed any conflict between science and religions. Science was something which was not encouraged much in Roman Catholics. UCC motivates the members coming to the church to employ both heart and brain in daily issues and make an optimal decision. After coming into being, First congregational Church also associated itself with United Church of Christ (http://ucc.org/).

About the church

The first congregational church of Boulder is a place which invites people from backgrounds and ...