First Congregational

United Church of Christ Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva's Hidden Treasure

Our history...

Welcome to the first established church in Lake Geneva.  We are a United Church of Christ parish.  The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian churches in the United States.  Our motto — "that they may all be one" — is Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the church.

The founders of this church in 1839 were moved by a genuine desire to "lay the foundation of a strong and influential church, from which good might radiate through the whole community...."   Their faith, vision and goal continue to remain a challenge to this church for each succeeding generation.

It was the Home Missionary Society that gave partial support to that small body of believers for the first thirteen years of life in the, then, frontier town of Lake Geneva; thus assisting it through its embryonic growth.  It was formed in 1839 as the First Presbyterian Church.  In 1883, the name was changed to First Congregational Church of Lake Geneva.

Two wood frame buildings preceded the current stone structure, which was built in 1897.  The pipe organ and Seth Thomas Clock/Chimes were installed during the 1897 project.

Stained glass windows have been added over the years, many as memorials to community pioneers.

Due to a denominational merger in 1957, the name was changed to First Congregational United Church of Christ Lake Geneva.

Team Bios: 

Charlene Hinckley, Our Pastor

Hi, we are so glad you stopped by our website and we hope that this leads you to join us on a Sunday Morning for worship. During my 20’s I explored many traditions and practices but came back to the church of my heart in my 30s. The UCC is part of my DNA. My family comes from a long line of people who struggled for religious freedom. My many times removed Great grandfather was John Robinson who blessed the pilgrims as they headed to the new world telling them that "God has yet more Light and Truth to break forth from his word." These same relatives were then forced out of Massachusetts for religious reasons and settled in Connecticut. So when I chose to listen to God’s call I became a pastor in the church of my heart, the United Church of Christ. The United Church of Christ is a community that believes faith has the power to change the world and that we as a community have defied conventions, broken barriers and listened to a God who is still speaking to us today. As a pastor, I share my passion for prophetic change and my desire to help everyone feel welcomed.

My teenage son, my dog Ziggy, and my cat Rocket moved to Lake Geneva in the Spring 2010. We have lived in Connecticut, Illinois, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. I first visited Lake Geneva on a retreat in seminary and fell in love with the town, the lake and its people. I have a B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago in Political Science, an M.A. and doctoral work in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. Go Huskies. I have a Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary.

You can follow my blog at:  Musings for a Beautiful Day 

Penny Erickson, Office Manager

I am a lifetime resident of Lake Geneva as well as a lifetime member of First Congregational UCC.  I have been the office manager and treasurer for 18 years.  I am also the bookkeeper for United Child Care Center and the Lake Geneva Area Emergency Food Pantry part of the ministry to the community found at our church.  I have been married to my husband Paul for 29 years and have two adult children who live in Milwaukee. 

Jerry Rosenberg, Organist

Jerry has been the organist for First Congregational UCC since 2003.  He has been a church organist for 19 years.  Jerry and his wife Joan have been members of the congregation since 2004.   Jerry works in the Grand Geneva Resort security department.  Because of his preference for the sound of a theatre pipe organ, he installed a virtual manual pipe organ to play at home.  It captures the sound of a Wurlitzer pipe organ from his home computer.

Kim May, Music Director

 

Amanda Matzke, United Childcare Center Director