A hundred years and more — on the same corner.
From our beginnings as a home church in the 1890s until now, we have been serving the Concord Heights area for over 100 years.
The bell in the tower was a gift from the Boston and Maine Railroad when the Chapel was built in 1900. It is still rung every Sunday.
How we got here
Our first records show a handful of neighbours meeting in one another's front rooms. What follows is the rest of it, as our own records tell it.
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Early 1890s
The people who gave birth to Immanuel met in their homes.
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1895
The group began meeting in an old school house on Greeley Street. The religious needs of many denominations of the Plains — now the Heights — came to the attention of the First Congregational Church.
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October 26, 1899
A monument was dedicated by a group of Concord churches to honour the site of the first religious service in central New Hampshire, at East Side Drive and Sugar Ball Road. That event stirred interest in the community.
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1900
The people of the Plains and First Congregational Church agreed that Immanuel Chapel would be established as a non-denominational mission of First Church. The building was erected on Grover Street. Many items were donated — one of particular interest is the bell in the tower, a gift from the Boston and Maine Railroad, which continues to be rung every Sunday.
The Chapel was dedicated on December 9, 1900, with over 200 people in attendance. Immanuel has since become independent of First Church.
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1939
The future of Immanuel Chapel was addressed by a group made up of a committee from the chapel, a representative from the Congregational Conference, and the Minister of First Church. It was decided that student ministers would serve one year each, starting with someone from Hartford Seminary.
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May 11, 1950
Immanuel Community Church was established. At the same time a women's organization was formed, actively involved in the planning and work of the church.
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1957
Ground was broken for the annex, to accommodate our growing Sunday School and give us a more convenient facility for public suppers and gatherings.
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1961
The church faced the question put to all Congregational churches that year — whether or not to merge into the United Church of Christ. Immanuel Community Church abstained from voting on merging.
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1965
A parsonage was purchased on Airport Road, since sold, and a parsonage built on the property adjacent to the church.
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1966
The chancel was renovated, and the beautiful stained glass windows were donated.
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Havenwood-Heritage Heights
When the retirement community opened, many of its residents joined our church and were active wherever needed. We volunteered many hours at the Havenwood facility over the years, and a scholarship is still given in memory of the member who established their thrift shop.
We were instrumental in setting up the first food pantry in Concord, and continue to be active with the Friendly Kitchen.
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2000
We celebrated our 100th anniversary. God bless all who worked so hard to see Immanuel Community Church become a reality, and for the many gifts given — monetary, material and of talent.
Our Book of Remembrance is our way of paying tribute to these folks. As you enter the annex there are plaques on the wall commemorating those who gave to that project.