Plymouth Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Fort Collins, CO
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Our History and Ties to the World
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Our congregation was gathered in 1903 by recent immigrants: ethnic Germans who had lived in enclaves along the Volga in
Russia since 1763. Hardworking farmers committed to their separate ethnic identity, they came to this country seeking
freedom of religious and cultural expression following the revocation of such rights by Czar Alexander II. Though totally unknown in Germany and Russia, the Congregational tradition was appealing for these German immigrants, in part because of our common Reformed heritage and especially because of our commitment to local-church autonomy. The Congregational American Home Missionary Society reached out to the Volgadeutsch immigrants, offering support and enabling them to keep their German language in worship and cultural heritage. Our congregation worshipped in a stone church, completed on Whedbee Street in 1905, until the congregation outgrew the building and constructed our current home on Prospect Road, which was completed in 1960. Originally called the Deutsche Evangelische Congregational Kirche (German Protestant Congregational Church), Plymouth offered services in German from its gathering until 1951, though English was used as well, beginning with the outbreak of the Second World War. At the same time, the name of the congregation was changed to Plymouth Congregational Church, dispelling any doubt about the congregation's national loyalty. Another effect was the broadening of our membership to include those of non-German heritage. In 1957, the Congregational and Christian Churches merged with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ (UCC), and this congregation voted to join the newly formed denomination in 1959. During the ministry of the Rev. Fred Edmonds (1975-99) the congregation developed a keen commitment to social justice and in 2001 voted to become Open & Affirming. Today the UCC is active in mission around the globe striving to extend God's reign of justice and peace to all persons. Plymouth works continually for a more just, inclusive, and peaceful world. |
Plymouth Celebrates its Centennial
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