by Carlton Brose, Church Historian
There are many histories of the First Congregational Church in Amherst: First there is the history of each of the four buildings that have housed the continuous and changing congregation. Second is the history of church membership, polity, and the pastors beginning with David Parsons in 1739 up to Vicki Kemper the present day Pastor. Third is a significant history of the Congregational Theology from the pre-revolutionary Great Awakening to liberal protestantism. Finally there is the history of the presence of First Church as a contributor to the life of Amherst and an integral part of the town’s growth and changes. As a founding institution this church stands as Amherst’s historic big bang.