First Congregational Church of Winter Park is a New England style congregational church. Our church is part of the United Church of Christ (UCC). We are an Open and Affirming Church meaning all are welcome. No matter your age, race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic you are welcome here. You can learn more about the United Church of Christ in our FAQ section on the UCC below.

FCCWP is proud to be a home for our LGBT+ community as well as all of those who, for whatever reason, have felt alienated or cast out of Church. The history of Congregationalism is one of many "firsts", not the least of which is the ordination of the first openly gay pastor in 1972 when Rev. William R. Johnson was ordained in the Golden Gate Association in California. Ever since then, the United Church of Christ has stood for equality and affirmation of those within the LGBT community. “Open and Affirming”, as defined by the UCC, is “a designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.” The process of becoming “O and A” is up to the local church, and FCCWP is proud to be part of the family of local UCC churches around the nation that not only welcome, but authentically affirm the lives of our LGBT+ community and welcome their presence in our pews, our lay leadership and our pulpits. ​ FCCWP’s own Open and Affirming statement was adopted on November 21, 2010 and states: “We are a community of Extravagant Welcome. We welcome and embrace with affirmation persons of every age, race, culture, religious background, political affiliation, economic and social status, physical and mental ability, gender, marital status, and family structure. Therefore, in this spirit, we of First Congregational Church of Winter Park, United Church of Christ, declare ourselves an Open and Affirming congregation welcoming and embracing with affirmation persons of every sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression into the full life, membership, leadership, employment and ministry of this church.” For more information on Open and Affirming, visit The UCC Open and Affirming page.

There is a wheelchair accessible ramp at the side entrance adjacent to New England Avenue. We also have an elevator for access to Faith and Fellowship Discussions and other activities held on the 2nd floor. Please let us know if you have other needs and how we can best help make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience.

Absolutely not! We are a church of enthusiastic welcome! All are welcome here regardless of race, creed, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or any other characteristic you may imagine. All are welcome with no caveats or exclusions. Should you choose to join our church you can learn more on the Join Us page.

First Congregational Church of Winter Park holds many events for church members and the general public who wish to attend. We are a church of enthusiastic welcome! You can find more information about church events on our events page. You may also find information about specific schedules of church business on our calendar page.

Yes! We would love to partner with you on your special day. For more information check out our Weddings page.

On Sundays, you are most welcome to park in the parking lot across New England Avenue just across from the side of the church (right across the street from the Alfond Inn) See the street view map below. On Sundays you may park in any available spaces within the annotated boxes.

Our amazing Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, and Soloists provide us with a range of hymns, spirituals, and sacred music. You may notice some songs seem a bit different from what you remember – our New Century Hymnal includes “fresh adaptations of original texts, honoring tradition while...using inclusive language that will welcome and affirm all as members of Christ’s church”. Our music program is led by Dr. John V. Sinclair. In addition to being Director of Music at FCCWP, Dr. John V. Sinclair serves as Chair of the Department of Music and is the John M. Tiedtke Professor of Music at Rollins College. He is celebrating his 20th season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the renowned Bach Festival Society of Winter Park and is the conductor of the International Moravian Music Festivals. You can learn more about Dr. Sinclair here.

The main door is on the corner of New England and historic Interlachen Avenue, just kitty-corner from the Alfond Inn. A handicap accessible ramp is on the New England side of the church.

The answer to that is “wear what you’re comfortable in!” Our FCCWP Family ranges from formal to casual on Sundays, and we invite you to join us just as you wish to come.

In order to reduce our carbon footprint our bulletin is online. There are QR codes in the pews for you to scan, or click here to download it ahead of time. We also put any call and response or important information on the two screens at the front of the sanctuary to make it easy to follow along.

You do not need to where a mask nor will you receive any mask shaming should you choose to wear one. At First Congregational Church of Winter Park we honor your personal health choices and welcome you no matter that choice.

We celebrate and share Communion on the first Sunday of each month as well as during special times and services throughout the year. ALL are invited to the table, no matter where you are in your faith journey or what your religious background is. This includes children, whom Jesus especially loved, and for this reason they will remain in the Sanctuary to worship with their families on Communion Sundays. If you're wondering if you can participate in communion the short answer is yes! If you would like to learn more about our open table and how you will never feel pressure to participate or not-participate you can read more in this FAQ under Can I participate in Communion?

Yes! Our table is an open table. All who wish to participate in communion are welcome. In most United Church of Christ local churches, the Communion Table is “open to all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people.” (Book of Worship). Some visitors from churches which believe communion should only be celebrated among Christians who are in full doctrinal agreement might not choose to participate. Their decision should be respected. In short: If you wish to receive communion you are welcome with us at our table. If you wish to join us, but do not wish to receive communion you are also welcome to join us. Your wishes will be respected. You will never feel pressure to participate in any way that does not reflect where you are on your faith journey. We are here for you and with you however that may be.

Yes! For the sacrament of communion non-alcoholic options are used to best serve the widest range of guests, visitors, and church members.

Yes! First Congregational Church of Winter Park understands many may have dietary restrictions they observe. For our guests, visitors, and members with a need for gluten-free items during communion a separate tray with gluten free offerings is always made available.

On Sunday mornings at 10 am we gather as the FCCWP Family for worship in our beautiful, historic sanctuary. Early in the service, our young people are invited to the front of the sanctuary for Young Church before leaving for Sunday School, which meets weekly during worship during the school year. Parents help the Lead Teachers with lessons and activities. We value our Sunday School as a time for learning about our faith, The Bible, as well as a time to make friends! After Young Church the Sunday school leaders will escort the children and youth to their respective classrooms, and can be picked up after the service is over. (Except on Communion Sundays – when they will be given a fun “busy bag” before returning to the pew with their families.)

During worship and other church functions, our infants and toddlers are cared for on the first floor of our Education Building; right across from the sanctuary. Childcare is available for ages 0-3 yrs old. We only ask that you sign your child in with one of the Child Care Staff. There is always information about exact times, locations and other details in the Weekly Bulletin, on our church calendar and in our newsletter.

Early in the service, our young people ages PreK though 12th grade are invited to the front of the sanctuary for Young Church when they will hear a special message just for them. This message is often tied to the sermon and readings for the day to give families a chance to discuss the messages they heard together later. On Communion Sunday's the youth are given a "busy bag" with a small toy they get to keep and coloring materials or other fun items. These are sent with them back to their families in the pews to keep them busy during the rest of the service. On all other Sunday's they are invited to follow the Faith Formation team to their Sunday School classrooms where they will participate in age appropriate activities focused on the lesson of the week. You can also learn more about our Sunday School program in this FAQ under Is there a Sunday School? Young Church is led by our Director of Faith Formation, Kerry Weisner. You can learn more about Kerry on our staff page here.

Yes! After the service you are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall for coffee, cookies, and friendship. This is a great chance to ask questions and get to know us better!

The United Church of Christ is an inclusive and diverse community of Christians connected by faith that calls us to build a just world for all. Our ministries advocate at a national and global level, but our roots are planted firmly in our local churches in communities like yours. A Church of Extravagant Welcome, Seeking a Just and Peaceful World For over 400 years, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. We are a church where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary, and where together, we grow a just and peaceful world. Our history is filled with ways our faith and call for justice have effected change in our communities, and our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.

These statements were overwhelmingly affirmed by the UCC Board of Directors at their fall business meeting, October 20-22, 2016. Purpose Statement (from the Gospel of Matthew): To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. Vision Statement: United in Christ’s love, a just world for all. Mission statement: United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.

You can visit the official website of the United Church of Christ by visiting: https://www.ucc.org