The United Church of Christ has always been known as a welcoming church. Anyone in need of Christian service is always welcomed. Alcester UCC is no exception. Anyone who wishes to be married, baptized, or buried is never turned away.

The church has had trying times. Some years ago there was a severe decline in membership due to deaths and young people moving away from small communities. Ways to bring people into the church were tried. People invited newcomers to town to come and worship with us. Pot luck suppers were held; fellowship coffee was served before or after services; and just plain caring and friendliness blossomed. Slowly the church began to grow. The cries and chatter of babies and little children could be heard again – always the sound of a growing church.

Inevitably, when things are going so well, adversity comes along. The old church had started to show signs of structural damage. A committee was formed to decide on a course of action. Rods were placed diagonally in the top of the church to maintain stability. Soon after that the foundation was found to be unstable.

Should more money be put in the old church or should we try to build? After much discussion and prayer, we received our answer. An unexpected, sizable inheritance from Clair and Elin Mitchell, friends of the church, and pledges from the church members together gave us enough to build. After much sacrifice, hard work, and more prayer, the beautiful church we worship in now was built. We will never forget when we walked from the old church into the new church for our first service. I know God was pleased.

Wonder of wonders! Now the poor little church with so few members has outgrown this church. In the near future, we will be building an addition, thanks to the devoted gift from Margaret and Lowell Pearson .

I’m sure in the years to come there will be more problems to be solved, more crises will arise, but with the spirit and faith of this church, all things are possible. Our families will be celebrating many years in the future.