Our History
June 1909 – The Presbyterian Church of Rockville Centre was organized with 35 members, in the Reliance Hose House.
November 1925 – A small group of people gathered in the Children’s Room of the Rockville Centre Public Library for a service of worship. They were new residents of the village who had left the city to find new homes in what was then referred to as “the country.” They sought a liberal and forward-looking church after the congregational tradition.
December 1925 – The group voted to organize a church, its name to be The Congregational Church of Rockville Centre. They enlisted support from the New York City Association of Congregational Churches and found ready response from Dr. John Luther Kilbon, then Secretary. Dr. Lewis T. Reed of the Flatbush Church gave time and great encouragement to the new group.
January 1926 – The first service as an organized Congregational Church was conducted by Dr. Reed for42 members of the new fellowship.
A general invitation to new members read as follows: “Those without church affiliations are invited to worship with us. They will find a congenial group with liberal not radical religious views. The only requirement for membership is a love for the Lord Jesus Christ and a purpose to live according to his law of love.”
Spring 1971 – The movement toward a union of the Rockville Centre United Presbyterian Church and the Congregational Church of Rockville Centre originated under the leadership of the respective pastors, Rev. Harry V. Mathias and Rev. Richard W. Lund.
April 1973 – The United Church of Rockville Centre came into existence when Justice Mario Pittoni of the New York State Supreme Court signed a Consent Decree at the Mineola Courthouse.
March 1994 – In an effort to more clearly define the values and beliefs of the congregation and to establish its core identity, the United Church of Rockville Centre parted ways with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and to this day continues as a member in full standing with the United Church.
United Church of Rockville Centre
430 Morris Avenue • Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Phone # 516-766-2975 • Fax # 516-594-3384
