First Parish In Lexington Unitarian Universalist

What First Parish In Lexington Unitarian Universalist does

First Parish in Lexington Unitarian Universalist is a nonprofit Unitarian Universalist congregation founded in 1692 and currently based in its 1846 historic building at 7 Harrington Road, opposite Lexington Battle Green in Lexington, Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest continuously operating religious congregations in America and traces a direct historical lineage to the American Revolution; members of the congregation fought in Captain John Parker's company on April 19, 1775, and Rev. Jonas Clarke's ministry encouraged resistance to British rule. The congregation operates under congregational polity, is self-governed by a nine-member Board, and is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. It has been an official UUA Welcoming Congregation for LGBTQ individuals and families since 1999.

The congregation delivers a broad portfolio of spiritual and community programs rather than technology products. Core offerings include weekly Sunday worship services at 10:30 AM, lifespan religious education using Soul Matters and Spirit Play curricula (including Our Whole Lives sexuality education), music programs (Sanctuary Choir, Joyful Noise youth choir, and an 1897 George Hutchings Opus 435 pipe organ with nearly 1,900 pipes), Faith in Action social justice teams (Climate Action, Preserving Our Democracy, Racial Justice), the volunteer-driven Caring Community coordinated via Lotsa Helping Hands, the Gordon Good Samaritan Fund grant program, weddings and memorial services, and a joint annual retreat with First Parish in Concord at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine. Distribution combines in-person services at the historic building, YouTube livestreaming and recorded services, email newsletters, and social media (Facebook, Instagram). A separate 3 Harrington Road location supports the Lexington 250 / 'Continue the Revolution' installation.

The revenue model is a hybrid of recurring member pledges, one-time facility rentals, and charitable donations. The Annual Stewardship Campaign is the primary engine, with the current-year goal at $520,000 and the prior year having raised $503,000, accounting for approximately two-thirds of total operating funds; pledge data shows 50% of pledges over $2,400 and 20% over $5,000. Facility rentals for weddings and events, Ferry Beach retreat fees (dorm $95/night, cabin $145/night, cottage $345/night, Cross Cottage private rooms $125/night, camping $45–$55/night, meal plan $119 adult/$98 youth), and the Good Samaritan Fund round out the income base. The congregation is staffed by approximately 14 paid employees and a broader volunteer base, including Senior Minister Rev. Anne Mason, Director of Operations Scott Abrahamson, Acting Director of Music Sarah Hager, and Director of Family Ministry Mandy Neff.

Name

First Parish In Lexington Unitarian Universalist

Legal name

First Parish in Lexington

Website

https://fplex.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Parish in Lexington is a 330-year-old Unitarian Universalist congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts, offering weekly worship, lifespan religious education, music programs, social justice initiatives, and facility rentals, supported primarily by member pledges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Worship services
• Religious education
• Pastoral care
• Social justice ministry
• Congregational community

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Stewardship Campaign: The primary revenue stream is the Annual Stewardship Campaign, which brings in about two-thirds of funds. Members and friends pledge donations for the church year (July-June). Last year 50% of pledges were over $2,400, 20% over $5,000, with total raised of $503,000 and a goal of $520,000 for the current campaign.
2. Facility Rentals: Revenue generated from renting facilities for weddings, corporate events, dance classes, and other gatherings. The historic building on Lexington Green is available for events with modern amenities including ERV systems, HEPA filtration, A/V technology, and fire suppression.
3. Good Samaritan Fund Donations: The Gordon Good Samaritan Fund, established by Bruce and Eva Gordon, provides financial awards to needy individuals including seniors needing medical aids, refugees, disabled children, and scholarship recipients. The fund accepts applications and distributes awards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

First Parish in Lexington is a Unitarian Universalist congregation that offers weekly Sunday worship services, religious exploration programs for children and youth, music ministries including choirs, social justice initiatives, pastoral care, and community gathering spaces for members and the broader Lexington community. The congregation also provides facility rentals, memorial services, small group ministry programs, and retreat opportunities.

Product overview

First Parish in Lexington is a Unitarian Universalist congregation offering a unified set of spiritual and community services centered around weekly worship, religious education, music programs, and social justice initiatives. The core offerings include Sunday worship services at 10:30 AM featuring music from the Sanctuary Choir and historic pipe organ, religious exploration programs for all ages using Soul Matters curriculum, youth and adult choir programs (Joyful Noise and Sanctuary Choir), pastoral care through the Caring Community, and Faith in Action social justice programming including Climate Action, Democracy Preservation, and Racial Justice teams. Additional services encompass facility rentals for weddings and events, memorial services, the Good Samaritan Fund grant program, and annual Ferry Beach retreats. These programs work together to support the church's mission of building a diverse, intergenerational beloved community focused on love, justice, and spiritual growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services
• Religious Exploration Programs
• Sanctuary Choir
• Joyful Noise Youth Choir
• Faith in Action Social Justice Programs
• Caring Community Pastoral Care
• Facility Rentals
• Memorial Services and Funerals
• Soul Matters Small Group Ministry
• Ferry Beach Retreat
• Good Samaritan Fund

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Joint retreats with First Parish in Concord held at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine over Memorial Day Weekend. The center provides lodging, meals, and facilities for the annual retreat. Features dorms, cabins, cottages, and camping on a beachfront campus.
• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)coreOthersFirst Parish is a member congregation of the UUA. This affiliation provides connection to the broader UU tradition, resources, and network of congregations. The church follows UUA guidelines and participates in denominational events like General Assembly.
• UU the VoteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Preserving Our Democracy Team (POD) partners with UU the Vote for non-partisan democratic reform efforts, voter registration, and civic engagement activities.
• Indivisible LABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Indivisible LAB (Lexington, Arlington, Bedford) for democratic reform and civic engagement work.
• Common CauseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOD team partners with Common Cause for advocacy on democratic reforms and anti-voter suppression initiatives.
• Force MultiplierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Force Multiplier organization for amplifying democratic engagement efforts.
• Voices on the GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization co-listed in church programming. Voices on the Green is a community organization associated with the Lexington community.
• First Parish in ConcordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming partner for the annual Ferry Beach Memorial Day Weekend retreat. The two congregations share planning committee responsibilities and coordinate activities.
• Jonathan Harrington HouseminorOthersHistoric parsonage property at corner of Bedford Street and Harrington Road, acquired in the 1950s for use as a parsonage. The church maintains this historic landmark.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Arlington Street Church: Historic Unitarian Universalist congregation in Boston with similar progressive social justice orientation, comparable programming portfolio, and overlapping urban Boston-area membership base.
• First Parish in Concord: Sister Unitarian Universalist congregation in Concord, MA. Already co-hosts the Ferry Beach retreat with First Parish Lexington and is a natural operational and programmatic peer in size, mission, and UU identity.
• First Parish Cambridge: Unitarian Universalist congregation in Cambridge, MA with comparable progressive values, similar programming (RE, social justice, music), and overlapping Greater Boston member market.
• All Souls Church Unitarian (New York): Large, historic New York City Unitarian congregation with comparable progressive values, social justice programming, and rich music program — a scale-up benchmark for UU congregation operations.
• First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn: Historic UU congregation in Brooklyn with similar progressive values, community programs, RE offerings, and commitment to social justice action.
• First Unitarian Church of Boston: Long-standing UU congregation in Boston with similar religious education, music, and social justice programming; competes for members in the same Greater Boston progressive UU market.
• First Unitarian Society of Madison: Mid-sized Unitarian Universalist congregation with similar lifespan religious education programming, music programs, and progressive social justice orientation — comparable in scale and program mix.
• First Church in Cambridge (Congregational): Historic Congregational/UU-affiliated congregation in Cambridge sharing progressive theological outlook, similar historic building profile, and comparable community programs.

Others

• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): Denominational umbrella organization of which First Parish is a member congregation. Provides shared curriculum, governance standards, and brand recognition that shape peer congregations.
• Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center: UU-affiliated retreat and conference center in Saco, Maine where First Parish hosts its annual retreat. Provides retreat programming infrastructure, lodging, and meals comparable to other UU retreat partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FPLexington
• Facebookfacebook.com/fplex
• Instagraminstagram.com/fplex
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-parish-in-lexington-unitarian-universalist

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about First Parish In Lexington Unitarian Universalist