CELEBRATING 135 YEARS


In the 1860s, several Boise Congregationalists decided they needed a place to worship. They bought a parcel of land on State Street directly behind where the State Capitol is today. Building began and the final cornerstone was placed in 1886. We became a Congregational Church on February 10th, 1891 as a Congregational Church, which has historically valued local autonomy, strong lay leadership, and freedom of conscience in matters of faith.

New Building in 1965

In 1965, when the State of Idaho needed additional space to house its governmental functions, it purchased our land and buildings and scheduled demolition. We then built our chuch on Woodlawn, where we still are today.

The United Church of Christ was something of an oddity when it was formed in 1957.  Ever since the Protestant Reformation five centuries ago – and even before -- the worldwide Christian Church has fragmented into thousands of different denominations, each with its own beliefs and ways of organizing.  We now have Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches of a bewildering variety: Lutheran, Reformed, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, etc.

In the middle part of the 20th century, there was a movement to try to reunite some of these many different denominations.  The United Church of Christ is a denomination formed by the union of what were once four different Protestant denominations: Congregational, Christian, Evangelical and Reformed, along with a few other smaller groups, like some historically Black churches.

First Church in Idaho to Become Gay Affirming in 1991

Boise First United Church of Christ made history in 1991 by becoming the first church in Idaho to officially declare itself open and affirming to the LGBTQ+ community. This bold and prophetic step was taken under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor, the church’s first female minister.

At a time when few religious institutions were publicly embracing LGBTQ+ inclusion, Boise First UCC affirmed that all people—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—are beloved by God and fully welcome in the life and leadership of the church. This commitment to justice and radical hospitality continues to shape the congregation’s identity and mission today.

Historic Pipe Organ— Oldest In Idaho!

Our Kimball pipe organ was originally built in 1911 by the George Graham Organ Company of Spokane. It has 12 ranks and 698 individual pipes. In our old church building, the keyboard and footboard console were surrounded by the choir seats and the pipes were behind that. When the old building was torn down, all the parts and pipes were stored temporarily. During the summer after we moved into our present building the organ was rebuilt into the sanctuary.

Members Doug & Cheri Lindley share the history of Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ.

  • Yes! We are part of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a progressive Protestant denomination that values inclusivity, justice, and a deep commitment to following Jesus' teachings of love and service. The UCC is known for its embrace of diverse theological perspectives, its history of advocating for civil rights and social justice, and its belief that God is still speaking, encouraging ongoing spiritual growth and discovery.

    To learn more about the United Church of Christ, visit www.ucc.org.

  • The Congregational Churches were started by the Pilgrims and Puritans who left the Church of England and came to New England in North America in the 17th century.  The Christian Churches were a small group that broke away from the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist Churches in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  They were mostly located in Ohio and Kentucky.  The Congregational and Christian Churches united in the 1930s.

    The Evangelical Churches were started by mostly German people who had come from Lutheran and Reformed backgrounds in Germany.  Many of them settled in Pennsylvania and the Midwest.  The Reformed Churches were made up of people who had come to the United States from Switzerland and Germany.  They, also, settled mainly in Pennsylvania and the Midwest.  The Evangelical and Reformed Churches united in the 1930s.  Then the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Churches united in 1957 to form the United Church of Christ.

  • Congregational Church polity (system of governance) allowed each local congregation to decide whether to become a part of the United Church of Christ.  Boise First Congregational Church voted to become a part of the UCC in 1961 after a time of education and discussions.  Not all Congregational Churches joined the United Church of Christ – usually because of fears that they would lose their autonomy and independence. 

  • The beautiful stained glass in the foyer of Boise First United Church of Christ is a cherished piece of our congregation’s history. These windows originally adorned our former church building downtown before it was demolished during our relocation in the 1960s. Rather than letting this piece of our past be lost, the congregation preserved the stained glass, ensuring that its rich colors and intricate designs would continue to inspire generations to come. Today, it stands as a symbol of our enduring faith and connection to those who came before us, bridging our past with our present.