Homer Congregational Church

History of Our Church

The First Religious Society was organized by a group of people in the town of Homer on September 10, 1799. This independent parish constructed a Church on the northeast corner of the Homer Green where on October 12, 1801, the first gathering of the Homer Congregational Church took place.

In 1803, the Church and Society called its first minister, the Reverend Nathan Darrow. During his tenure, the Society was deeded six acres of land that included the Green and the land to the north and west of it. A new church was built on the site where the current church stands. In 1843, a Sessions house was built where the Jones Hall now stands. This building was used for forty-five years before it was moved to serve as a house on Cherry Street in Homer, where it still stands.

In 1860, plans for a new church began. The old church was torn down and the present brick church was dedicated in July 1863, four days after the Battle of Gettysburg. The parlors and kitchen were added in 1887. In 1900, the manse at 14 North Main Street was purchased. The organ was installed in 1903 and rebuilt in 1938. The sanctuary has been redecorated or renovated at least eight times since 1863. The most devastating structural event came in 1971 when a fire severely damaged the sanctuary, organ and Russell Fellowship Room. An elevator and handicap ramp were installed in

2000.

The Homer Congregational Church has shown visionary leadership in education for the community. It established the first school system in the village, the Homer Academy, in 1819, where many young people were educated who later entered the ministry. In addition, the Church provided space in Jones Hall in the 50’s and 60’s for the Elementary School. At the present time, we house a pre-school and our Youth Center.

Practically all of the original land remains in the possession of the First Religious Society. The Episcopal Church, the front part of the Elementary School, the Methodist Church, as well as the Congregational Church all occupy the property of the First Religious Society. Presently, all members of the Homer Congregational Church are members of the First Religious Society. The First Religious Society and the Homer Congregational Church remain separate entities in order to protect the properties of the church. This corporation and church have remained strong for over two hundred years.