Union Congregational Church

What Union Congregational Church does

Union Congregational Church is a private, nonprofit religious congregation founded in 1827 and headquartered at 105 Pleasant St., East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. It is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ and, since January 29, 2017, has operated as an Open and Affirming congregation welcoming all persons regardless of background. The church serves residents of East Bridgewater and surrounding Plymouth County communities through weekly Sunday worship (10 AM) and July-August Wednesday evening services, supplemented by the sacraments of Baptism and monthly Holy Communion, Bible study (2nd and 4th Tuesdays), and a Men's Breakfast group. Music ministry under Music Director Elliott Talley includes the Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, and a guest musician program.

The church's operational footprint extends beyond worship into community outreach. Since 2013, the congregation has operated the East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry (second Wednesday and last Saturday of each month), serves a monthly meal at Father Bill's Mainspring House, and runs the Sew Much Love quilting ministry producing quilts for four women's shelters including Penelope's Place, Bolton Place, and Conway House. The church also hosts Wednesday evening Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Pastoral leadership is provided by Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Crouch (since September 2021), supported by a four-person staff including Office Manager/Treasurer Laurie Mitcheson and Custodian Allen Guild.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations — tithes and offerings collected at services, annual stewardship pledges to the General and Mission Funds (weekly or monthly), and online gifts via PayPal and debit/credit card through the church website. The church's technology stack is intentionally modest: a standard website (uccofeb.org), Mailchimp-distributed monthly email newsletters with archives dating to 2022, a YouTube channel for live-streamed and archived worship services (adopted in 2020 during COVID-19), and a Facebook page for community engagement. Annual mission giving is distributed to more than 15 charities locally and abroad. The church celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2026 and received a $137,400 Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources grant in July 2026, its first disclosed external capital infusion.

Name

Union Congregational Church

Legal name

Union Congregational Church

Website

https://uccofeb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1827

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Union Congregational Church is a 200-year-old private nonprofit UCC congregation in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, providing weekly worship, sacraments, music ministry, and community outreach — including a food pantry and quilting ministry — funded by member tithes, pledges, and online donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Congregational worship services
• Community food assistance
• Biblical education programs
• Pastoral care services
• Music ministry programs

Headquarters

HQ city

East Bridgewater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: The church receives regular tithes and offerings from congregation members during worship services, including Sunday services and special collections.
2. Donations via PayPal: Online donation platform allowing supporters to contribute via PayPal or debit/credit card through the church website.
3. Stewardship Pledges: Annual pledge program where members commit to giving amounts to the General Fund and Mission Fund on a weekly or monthly basis.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Union Congregational Church provides Christian worship services (Sunday mornings and summer Wednesday evenings), the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, Bible Study, and a music ministry (Chancel Choir and Bell Choir). It also operates community outreach programs including the East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry, a monthly meal at Father Bill's Mainspring House, and the Sew Much Love quilting ministry producing quilts for women's shelters. Programming is delivered in person at its East Bridgewater campus and online via YouTube streaming and Mailchimp newsletters.

Product overview

Union Congregational Church offers a comprehensive suite of religious and community services centered around its core worship ministry. The church provides weekly Sunday worship services and summer Wednesday evening services, supplemented by sacraments including Baptism and Holy Communion. Digital engagement includes online video streaming via YouTube and email newsletters through Mailchimp. Community outreach programs feature the East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry (operated since 2013), Father Bill's House meal service, and the Sew Much Love quilting ministry supporting women's shelters. Music ministries include the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir under Music Director Elliott Talley. Online giving is facilitated through PayPal integration. The church serves as an Open and Affirming congregation welcoming all persons regardless of background.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday morning worship at 10 AM intended to bring the congregation into communion with God and, drawing on the life and teachings of Jesus, inspire courage to do good, compassion to love others, and gratitude to care for creation. Open to all visitors and members.
• Baptism The Sacrament of Initiation celebrated during Sunday worship when the gathered community welcomes the baptized person into the church family and pledges to support their growth into Christian discipleship; available to persons of any age, with parents making promises on behalf of children and older youth or adults making their own promises.
• Holy Communion The Sacrament of Holy Communion (Lord's Supper) celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, remembering the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples. Loaves of bread and cups of grape juice are served to all seated in the pews; all are invited — children and adults, members and non-members, doubters and believers.
• Bible Study Weekly Bible Study sessions held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 9:30 AM and 7:00 PM, providing opportunities for scriptural learning, discussion, and faith formation for members and attendees.
• Online Worship Streaming Recorded and live-streamed worship services and sermons made available on the church's YouTube channel, enabling remote participation for members and visitors unable to attend in person and providing an archive of recent sermons (200th Anniversary celebrations, Easter Sunday, and weekly sermons).
• East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry Emergency food assistance program operated by the church since 2013, open on the second Wednesday of the month from 12:30–2:00 PM and the last Saturday from 9:30–11:00 AM. Proof of residence is required; supported by church volunteers and donations.
• Father Bill's House Meal Service Monthly meal service at Father Bill's Mainspring House, providing food assistance to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in the broader community; coordinated through the church office with volunteers and donations.
• Sew Much Love Quilting Ministry Quilting ministry meeting Wednesday mornings at 10 AM (September through June) that produces quilts delivered to three women's shelters — Penelope's Place and Bolton Place in Brockton, and Conway House in Middleboro — providing material support for survivors of domestic violence. The group has supported these shelters for over a decade.
• Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous support group hosted at the church on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM, providing recovery support for individuals working through alcohol addiction.
• Chancel Choir Church choir performing most Sundays under the direction of Music Director Elliott Talley, with regular Tuesday evening rehearsals and warm-ups prior to Sunday worship, providing the congregation's choral music ministry.
• Bell Choir Hand Bell choir comprising 3 octaves of Hand Bells and 2 octaves of Hand Chimes, practicing Sundays from 11:30 AM to 1 PM and contributing to worship services; open to new members.
• Men's Breakfast Group Monthly fellowship gathering on the first Sunday of each month at 8 AM in the Leland Room, combining breakfast with discussion on a current topic of interest intersected with faith, led by Rev. Gordon Crouch.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2017The church adopted its Open and Affirming designation on January 29, 2017, by congregational vote. This coalition advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and equips UCC congregations to become effective witnesses to Christ's welcome.
• East Bridgewater Emergency Food PantrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013In 2013, the congregation voted to take on responsibility for running the East Bridgewater Emergency Food Pantry. The church hosts the pantry and coordinates volunteers and donations.
• Southern New England Conference of the United Church of ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion Congregational Church is a member of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Pastor Gordon Crouch serves on the Committee on Ministry for the Pilgrim Association of this conference.
• United Church of ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational denominational affiliation providing theological framework, resources, and connection to the broader UCC network. The church displays UCC logos on its website.
• Father Bill's Mainspring HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe church serves a monthly meal at Father Bill's Mainspring House, a homeless shelter and meal program. Volunteers and donations are coordinated through the church office.
• Women's Shelters (Penelope's Place, Bolton Place, Conway House)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sew Much Love quilting group produces quilts delivered to three women's shelters: Penelope's Place and Bolton Place in Brockton, and Conway House in Middleboro. These shelters have been supported for over a decade.
• East Bridgewater Kiwanis ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPastor Gordon Crouch serves on the Board of Directors for the East Bridgewater Kiwanis Club, representing the church in community service collaboration.
• East Bridgewater Clergy AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPastor Gordon Crouch is a member of the East Bridgewater Clergy Association, facilitating interfaith cooperation and community chaplaincy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Old Ship Church (Hingham, MA): Historic United Church of Christ congregation in Plymouth County, MA, similar in denomination, congregational governance, and historic-preservation profile to Union Congregational Church.
• Pilgrim Congregational Church (Weymouth, MA): UCC-affiliated congregation in a nearby MA South Shore town with comparable scale, denominational affiliation, and community-worship programming.
• First Congregational Church of Braintree (MA): Local UCC congregation in the same regional footprint, similar congregational model and community-service orientation.
• St. John's Episcopal Church (East Bridgewater, MA): Direct local peer — another historic mainline Christian congregation serving the same East Bridgewater community with overlapping programs and competitive member pool.
• First Baptist Church of East Bridgewater: Local Christian congregation in the same town, drawing from the same addressable congregation; comparable in scale and historic presence.
• First Congregational Church of Hanover (MA): Local UCC congregation in a neighboring South Shore MA town; comparable in size, congregational structure, community-outreach orientation, and Southern New England Conference affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• United Church of Christ (National Body): National denominational parent body providing theological framework, resources, and network support; Union Congregational Church is an autonomous member congregation within this broader organization.
• Southern New England Conference of the UCC: Regional UCC governing body of which Union Congregational Church is a member; comparable in faith-based organizational scope at the conference level.

Others

• Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC: Coalition that equips UCC congregations to adopt Open & Affirming designations; Union Congregational Church adopted this designation in 2017 through this coalition.
• Father Bill's & Mainspring House: Faith-rooted community services organization where Union Congregational Church serves a monthly meal; comparable in faith-based community-service mission in the same regional service area.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@unioncongregationalchurche1542
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnionCongregationalChurchEB

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Union Congregational Church