Know Us

Meet Our Community

Come and experience the love at Old First.

Retired registered nurse, I enjoy visiting Old First shut in's and family/friends. Enjoy gardening but a little slow now (hard to get up once down). Love traveling, will go just about anywhere with or without a companion. Always open to changes.

Jacqulin

Old Firster since 1969, Lives in Claymont, DE

Finder of faith, later in life. Lover of music, fan of church administrative tasks, and father of two. I love singing in the choir and playing tuba in the OFR Band.

Adam

Old Firster since 1994, Lives in Oaklyn, NJ

Old First is my neighborhood UCC church. I joined Old First because it is a congregation that believes in living out Christ's call to care for the least of these in a real way. I am uncomfortable calling myself a Christian because of the judgments that have been cast on others in that name. I ...
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Old First is my neighborhood UCC church. I joined Old First because it is a congregation that believes in living out Christ's call to care for the least of these in a real way. I am uncomfortable calling myself a Christian because of the judgments that have been cast on others in that name. I am a follower of Jesus and find that the members of Old First are great companions on this journey. There is much to be learned and much to be shared in this community.

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Beth

Old Firster Since 1994, Lives in Old City

Spring is my favorite season, I love the energy, the blooming, growing things, in spite of sneezing for months with seasonal allergies. I'm a happily married grandma and mother to 2 wonderful adults. I love to learn, to read, cook, quilt and make music. I enjoy movies and plays of all kinds so...
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Spring is my favorite season, I love the energy, the blooming, growing things, in spite of sneezing for months with seasonal allergies. I'm a happily married grandma and mother to 2 wonderful adults. I love to learn, to read, cook, quilt and make music. I enjoy movies and plays of all kinds so I usher at 2 theaters in Phila. and one movie theater.

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Teresa

Old Firster since 2016, Lives in Wyncote, PA

I am a Massachusetts girl with an Alabama heart living in Philadelphia. I have lived in Philly since 2005 and started attending Old First in 2010. I am passionate about higher education, the advancement of womanhood, philanthropy, working out, food and your 2017 Super Bowl Champions - the New ...
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I am a Massachusetts girl with an Alabama heart living in Philadelphia. I have lived in Philly since 2005 and started attending Old First in 2010. I am passionate about higher education, the advancement of womanhood, philanthropy, working out, food and your 2017 Super Bowl Champions - the New England Patriots.

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Beth

Old Firster Since 2010, Lives in Fairmount

I moved to Philly 9 years ago from Romania. My first Sunday at Old First I felt a connection. But I was living a double life. My church life was happy, full of hope and energy. My other life was often angry and depressed. Did believing in God make me suffer more? But through prayer, I began to...
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I moved to Philly 9 years ago from Romania. My first Sunday at Old First I felt a connection. But I was living a double life. My church life was happy, full of hope and energy. My other life was often angry and depressed. Did believing in God make me suffer more? But through prayer, I began to feel energized, peaceful, powerful. Even if I cannot overcome my challenges sometimes, I believe in an infinite, eternal, almighty God, perfect in holiness, truth and love. God is Love.

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Roxana

Old Firster since 2015, Lives in Northeast Philly

I'm a recent college graduate looking to advance out in the work world. Family is from Liberia in west Africa and came here to the United States in 1995 because of civil war in Liberia and we fell right at home here at Old First .

Dorothy

Old Firster Since 1997, Lives in Northeast Philly

I'm a mother, spouse, nurse, student and activist. I have had the privilege of traveling all over the world and now find myself in Philly where I enjoy gardening and climbing trees with my boys.

Samantha

Old Firster since 2016, Lives in Frankford

I'm a "lapsed" Baptist, and eternally grateful to God & Old First pastor emerita Geneva Butz who led me to this, my chosen family and especially quixotic, unique congregation.

Rochelle

Old Firster since 1984, Lives in Northern Liberties

Mastery Charter educator. Proud Penn State alum. College football fan. Was so happy to find Old First and the wonders of UCC denomination shortly after moving to Philly. Love participating and serving in this inclusive community.

Yajeh

Old Firster since 2010, Lives in Washington West

Born and raised Roman Catholic and never knew what the UCC ministry was all about until my fiance, also a member of the church, took me to an Old First service one Sunday morning. The warm, welcoming feeling I got kept me coming back from that day on.

Stephen

Old Firster since 2015, Lives in Passyunk Square

I like the phrase "cradle" Congregationalist to describe my faith journey. My father was a Congregational minister so being part of a church is my natural environment. My faith has grown and deepened with the years. Next to my love for my family is my love for Old First.

Margaret

Old Firster since 1996, Lives in Mt. Airy

I love living and working in Philadelphia, and I love worshiping at Old First! I stay active by running, yoga-ing, and trapeze-ing.

Carrie

Old Firster since 2013, Lives in Bella Vista

I grew up in a big family in rural North Carolina. I was raised in the Christian Church, one of the denominations that eventually formed the UCC. I love to play games and jigsaw puzzles and gather in small groups to "hang out." Family is very important to me.

Delilah

Old Firster since 2009, Lives in Sicklerville, NJ

Get to Know Us

Old First Leaders

Our Fearless Leaders

Our Leaders are our rock and our inspiration.

They help us envision new ways to be faithful members of Christ’s church, within the context of our numerous roles in our families, communities, nation and world.

Check out our leaders here and be sure to say hello next time you see them in person.

Old First Leaders

Membership

Old First’s uses Realm, a password-protected Web site for communicating and sharing resources. Click here to login and and find a tips and tricks for using Realm.

Membership

Our Denomination

United Church of Christ

Old First is one of over 5000 congregations across the United States that belong to the United Church of Christ (UCC). With colonial-era beginnings going back to the Pilgrims in New England and German immigrants in Pennsylvania, the UCC is a church with deep roots in the American story.

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Our History

Founded by German immigrants in 1727, Old First has been part of the fabric of Philadelphia for over 280 years.

History of Old First

Book our Spaces

Old First UCC is blessed with a unique historical campus and we are happy to share. Our spaces are well suited for theatrical and musical events, receptions, community and condo association meetings, weddings, birthday parties and more…

Charges to use spaces on our campus depend on the type of event being held and the number of hours you wish to use the space. Fees range from $25 for the use of a classroom to $850 for the use of the sanctuary for three hours. Contact us for more information.

Smoking is not permitted in the buildings and alcohol is not permitted on the campus.

Book Our Spaces

Get in Touch

There’s all sorts of ways to contact us. Send an email, call, knock on the office doors, morse code. Find all the information you need to get in touch including email, our address, and parking directions

Meet Our Community

Old First Leaders

Membership

Our Denomination

United Church of Christ

Our History Founded by German immigrants in 1727, Old First has been part of the fabric of Philadelphia for over 280 years.

Book our Spaces

Get in Touch

Our History

Founded by German immigrants in 1727, Old First has been part of the fabric of Philadelphia for over 280 years.