Questions

• What time is your worship service?
  On Sunday mornings our worship is at 10:00 am in the Meetinghouse.
• How do we get to your church?
  We are located in the beautiful village of Farmington, across from Miss Porter’s School on Route 10/Main Street. Click here for a map.
• Where do we park?
  Being 360 years old, First Church has existed since before the automobile. Therefore we do not own a single parking space and parking is at a premium. However, we have two Noah Wallace School parking lots available to us on weekends, as well as on-street parking on Church St., School St., Hart St., Mill St. and Colton St.
• Are you handicap accessible?
  Yes! All of our facilities are accessible. Handicap parking is on both School and Church Streets.
• Do you have childcare during worship?
  Yes! We have paid care-givers for infants-toddlers who are supported by volunteers.
  
• Do you have church school?
  Yes! Our curriculum for children begins at nursery age and continues through classes for Confirmation in 9th grade.
• Do you have youth groups?
  Yes! We have two active youth groups, one for 7th and 8th graders (Junior Pilgrim Fellowship or JF), and another for 9th through 12th graders (Pilgrim Fellowship or PF). In addition, each summer our high school youth participate in a youth mission trip led by our youth director and adult volunteers.
  
• I am not much of a churchgoer; will I be comfortable in your church?
  Well, our pews were built in 1836, so they may not be really comfortable (though they do have cushions), but you will find individuals in our church that come from a wide variety of church experiences and who are at many different points in their Christian journey. We are certain that you will find someone like yourself here.
• Why do you call your church a “Meetinghouse”?
  Our Meetinghouse was built in 1771 when the term “church” referred to the people gathered, and the building was used for more than just worship. It was the site of all civil, social and judicial activities in the town as well as the religious. In addition, its architecture is based on the puritan “meetinghouse plan” rather than the “cathedral plan” of most churches.
• Which door do I come in?
  We use the doors at either end of the building, the towers. Most people come in from the back side of these towers.
• What happens on Sunday Mornings?
  Worship begins at 10:00 am in the Meetinghouse for both adults and children. Early in the service children are invited up front for a “Children’s Sermon” and from there dismissed to their church school classes in Amistad Hall, the building next door. Parents are welcome to accompany their children, but the students are also accompanied by “Shepherds” who lead them to their classrooms.
  
  In the summer (generally between the first Sunday in July and Labor Day weekend), worship takes place in Porter Memorial Hall, which is located in Amistad Hall (the cream colored brick building next to the Meetinghouse). Although there is no church school in the summer, nursery care is available for children 5 and younger.
  
• What are your office hours?
  Our church office is open daily, Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Why is your building called Amistad Hall?
  In 1841, the Africans that had sailed on the ship Amistad were set free by the United States Supreme Court after two years of captivity. Those who survived the ordeal, 34 Mendi men and children, came to Farmington while money was being raised to get them home to Sierra Leone. They lived, worshipped, worked, learned, and played with us for 8 months, an experience that profoundly affected First Church’s worldview. Since that time we have committed ourselves to mission beyond our walls. Our 2006 building was dedicated Amistad Hall because “amistad” is Spanish for “friendship,” recognizing the Africans’ friendship with us for so many years, and committing the building as a resource of friendship for the community and the world.
• Why do you have a Porter Memorial? Are you a part of Miss Porter’s School?
  No, but Miss Sarah Porter, founder of Miss Porter’s School, was a strong member of First Church and her father, Noah Porter, was the pastor here for 60 years. Because her spiritual life was so important to her, when she died her students built a memorial building to her under the stewardship of First Church. That building was incorporated into the architecture of Amistad Hall.
• Do you teach the Bible?
  Yes! We take the Bible very seriously, but we do not take it literally. Scripture is at the basis of all our preaching, teaching, and learning.