Embedded Files
2000-15: Several associate ministers came to First Church to assist in the church ministries. Associates like the Revs. Gloria Carlson, Kevin Cameron, and Brad Bradbury became beloved figures in the church leadership.
2015: Rev. Blume retired after 37 years of faithful ministry to First Church, the longest ministry since that of Rev. Jacob Norton (1787-1824). The Rev. Thomas F. Coronite, previously an associate minister at the church, was installed as the senior pastor that fall. Under Rev. Coronite, the church joined the Massachusetts Association of Congregational Christian Churches (MACCC).
2019: Rev. Coronite retired from full-time ministry, to the regret of many church members. The Rev. John A. Robie was brought on as acting pastor, before being formally installed in 2022.
2020-1: The COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world, forcing First Church to get creative in continuing its ministries and outreach to the town.
Members of First Church serving bagged meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Rev. Robie resigned in early April, and the Rev. Alexander S. Killian was called as bridge pastor for the remainder of the year. That fall, the 400th anniversary of First Church was celebrated with a season-long celebration. The church hosted a festival, a lunch with an Abigail Adams impersonator, a concert, and a special worship service on December 10. The slogan for the quatercentenary was: “Looking Back, Moving Forward.”
2024: Rev. Killian was formally called and ordained as the 31st pastor of First Church on June 30.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Looking Back, Moving Forward
First Church's 400th Anniversary
First Church's 400th Anniversary
In 2023, the First Church in Weymouth was fortunate to celebrate the 400th anniversary of its gathering. Preparations began early in the year, with the motto "Looking Back, Moving Forward" chosen to honor our history and the future which we are now entering. We celebrated this quatercentenary beginning in the late summer of 2023, and extending to the end of the year, with a festival, an "historic" lunch, a concert, and a special worship service.
Outdoor* Festival
Our celebrations kicked off on Saturday, September 16 with a great festival for the Weymouth community. Intended to be outdoors on the lawn and in the parking lot, Hurricane Lee had other ideas. In expectation of extreme wind and rain, festivities were prepared indoors in the hall downstairs. Snacks and lunch, vendors, face painting, live music, and a game room in the small hall for the kids created a busy and bustling atmosphere. The day was free of charge, and the town showed up to help make this celebration a day to remember.
Lunch with Abigail
We had a full house on September 30 for our lunch and tea with one of our most famous church members, First Lady Abigail Adams! Abigail was born in the church parsonage in 1744, and was the daughter of our longest-serving minister, the Rev. William Smith (1706 - 1783). We were blessed to have the magnificent Laura Rocklyn portraying our dear Abigail, who made it possible for us to offer this relaxing and educational afternoon.
Concert Through the Ages
Under the leadership of our music director Jane C. Cleary-Kirk, a choir consisting of church members, Weymouth residents, and other friends of First Church came together on October 21 to take us through the musical history of the past four hundred years, offering a glimpse of the historical and cultural environments our church has been a part of. There was no charge to the event, and it was such a great event to bring together our community in celebration of this anniversary.
Anniversary Worship Service
To conclude our celebrations, we filled our church on Sunday, December 10 and gave glory to the Lord our God, worshipping Him who has brought our community together. We looked to God's faithfulness throughout time and in this church in particular, and we closed this chapter in First Church's history in joyful expectation of what God has in store for us next.
The 400th Committee
Our celebrations would not have been possible without the dedication and efforts of our 400th Anniversary Committee. They worked tirelessly throughout the year to prepare for these events, so that we could joyfully celebrate with the Town of Weymouth at large.
Commitee Members: Susan Belisle, Nancy Cameron, Patricia Couper, Marilyn Field, Linda Glass, Jane Cleary-Kirk, James Kirk, Deborah Llewelyn, Nancy McLeod, Elaine Pepe, Dorothy Pflaumer, Sandra Roche, Marcia Stoddard, Marilyn Wilburn.
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