Our History
The First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, MO, was organized on August 16, 1867, with the First Congregational Church of Hamilton organized in February of 1899. Both churches recorded earlier church services being held in members' homes or other area churches.
According to old records, the First Congregational Church and the Hamilton Disciples of Christ merged on November 27, 1891, with the "Federation" of the First Presbyterian Church and the First Congregational Church occurring during February 1928. Members of the First Presbyterian Church locked the doors of their church one Sunday and marched to the Congregational Church to join them in worship services.
Originally adopted as "the Federated Congregation-Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, MO," the name was later shortened to "The Hamilton Federated Church."
The First Congregational Church purchased the present church site on February 5, 1870, for $200 from the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company. Foundations for the present church building were laid during 1895 and building construction occurred between 1899 and 1900 at a cost of $7,054.
The first church service was held on December 2, 1900, and the building was dedicated on May 12, 1901.
The Fellowship Hall addition was dedicated in October of 1967. The classroom wing was completed during June 1991.
The annual Chicken Pie Dinner has its origins from the First Congregational Church. Dinner was first served in the home of Frank and Nettie Clark in 1889. Frank owned and operated the Hamilton Roller Mills and later the Hamilton Electric Company. The Chicken Pie Dinner was organized by Mary Kautz using her recipe that we still use today.
