Know Us

Meet Our Community

Come and experience the love at Old First.

Cradle Catholic. My wife and I came to Old First with our then 1 yr old daughter. I am the director of a wonderful preschool in center city called Kids on 12th and love it! I also like to write, play guitar and am a movie buff.

Julius

Old Firster since 2006, Lives in Northern Liberties

I garden, sing in the shower (occasionally) and have been UCC forever (except for a couple short departures!). Faith means a lot to me. It holds the world together and gives life purpose. It is a huge gift from God.

Bob

Old Firster since 1995, Lives in Mt. Airy

Lionel Messi is proof of God's greatness. Ya, ok - my lovely wife and kids too. Umm, trees? yes, holy cow (oops!), and the whales. yes, all 'em creatures.

Bula

Old Firster since 2009, Lives in Old City

I live in Philadelphia with my partner, Mike. I have five nephews and three nieces over three states that I love to spend time with. I love college basketball, especially March Madness, cooking, long walks, reading and swimming.

Mimi

Old Firster since 2014, Lives in Mt. Airy

Moved to Philadelphia after high school to work for the denomination's national church offices. Have served as Old First's financial secretary.

Gerry

Old Firster since 1974, Lives in Center City

Hello, my name is Sunghye. I am a linguist, vegan, and animal rightist. I am a mother of two cats, Oliver and Leo!

Sunghye

Old Firster since 2012, Lives in Chicago (sometimes back in Philly!)

I am a resident alien as well as a professional portrait photographer and photojournalist working with activists, artists and healers. I love exploring new-to-me spaces in Philadelphia, getting up early to watch sunrises, and taking the El. I am also a dad / husband and frustrated householder....
Read More
I am a resident alien as well as a professional portrait photographer and photojournalist working with activists, artists and healers. I love exploring new-to-me spaces in Philadelphia, getting up early to watch sunrises, and taking the El. I am also a dad / husband and frustrated householder.

Read Less

Chris

Old Firster since 2016, Lives in Frankford

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

I'm cradle UCC, but I thought confirmation was a vaccination. Immune to further exposure, I stayed away from church for 30 years. When I moved to Philly, I discovered Old First, though I wasn't especially looking for a church. Maybe I was looking for a community, and that's what I found. We do...
Read More
I'm cradle UCC, but I thought confirmation was a vaccination. Immune to further exposure, I stayed away from church for 30 years. When I moved to Philly, I discovered Old First, though I wasn't especially looking for a church. Maybe I was looking for a community, and that's what I found. We don't ask you to stop thinking here. We value your questions and doubts. My faith has grown in this varied, talented, dedicated, hospitable, funny, caring--and occasionally exasperating--congregation.

Read Less

Margaret

Old Firster since 1989, Lives in Society Hill

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

Born in Washington DC, raised in Virginia, I moved to Philadelphia for college and have lived in the Delaware Valley for 25 years (Bucks Co., NJ). The youngest of four, I am married (16 years) with two children (31 yo step-son, 12 yo daughter). Baptized Episcopalian, confirmed Presbyterian, re...
Read More
Born in Washington DC, raised in Virginia, I moved to Philadelphia for college and have lived in the Delaware Valley for 25 years (Bucks Co., NJ). The youngest of four, I am married (16 years) with two children (31 yo step-son, 12 yo daughter). Baptized Episcopalian, confirmed Presbyterian, re-confirmed Catholic, then found UCC after a long break from church. Left-handed Pisces with eclectic tastes.

Read Less

Susan

Old Firster since 2006, Lives in Northern Liberties

I was born and baptized into the UCC, growing up in Lancaster County, PA. I joined Old First UCC in 1986 and love it! I am not there in person very often because my work as a physical therapist and teacher takes me around the world. I work with children and adults with neurological challenges ...
Read More
I was born and baptized into the UCC, growing up in Lancaster County, PA. I joined Old First UCC in 1986 and love it! I am not there in person very often because my work as a physical therapist and teacher takes me around the world. I work with children and adults with neurological challenges such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delay, head injury, etc. I love to garden, swim, read, bike, and hike and love the quiet and solitude of the mountains.

Read Less

Jane

Old Firster since 1986, Lives in Upper Darby, PA

I chase a toddler, because it's fun. I work for you, because it's my calling. I go to church, because it helps me be a better person.

Jonathan

Old Firster since 2001, Lives in Center City

Retired from the Free Library of Philadelphia. I am religious and I love to volunteer where I am needed. Mother of one son.

Barbara

Old Firster since 2014, Lives in West Philly

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.

Learn More

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.