History

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180 Years and Counting…

As one of the older congregations in the Wisconsin Conference UCC, Raymond Community Church has been serving the community and spreading God’s love for over 180 years. We have deep roots in the local area and have families whose membership goes back for many generations. It is not unusual to see four generations of the same family worshiping on Sunday mornings. Guests are always welcome to worship with us in faith and fellowship. Come and join us as we move forward in faith with God’s love into the future.

180th Anniversary Update

A Brief History…

  • March 12, 1840 – Organized and met as a congregation in member’s homes until the first church was built.

  • October 1848 - First church was built on Five Mile Road, east of Raymond Center. The church was named, “Raymond Congregational Church.” Members gathered at the nearby Root River for baptisms.

  • 1956 – Called a full-time pastor to help build a new church structure

  • 1957 – Broke ground on the four acres given for the site of our new church building on Six Mile Road

  • 1962 – Our congregation joined the United Church of Christ denomination

  • 1973 – Merged with New Hope Larger Parish of five area UCC and United Methodist Churches, with shared pastoral leadership. Merger lasted until 1990.

  • 1992 – Joined with Union Grove Congregational United Church of Christ in a yoked partnership

  • 2001 – Congregation began a building addition to add a sanctuary, entryway, offices and classroom space. We changed our name from “Raymond United Church of Christ” to “Raymond Community Church” as we rededicated ourselves to serving our wider community. Our mission statement was revised: “We seek to bear witness to the good news of God’s love for the Church and for the World as revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

  • September 2002 – We dedicate our new church addition, with many special guests and much celebration of God’s continuing call.

  • 2003 – Congregation adopts a “Safe Sanctuary” policy to reduce the risk of child abuse in our church.

  • 2010 - We partner with our neighboring North Cape Lutheran Church to serve a monthly meal to area seniors with a program or entertainment. There is much laughter and fellowship at the "Amazing Grays" gatherings.

  • 2018 – Paid off our mortgage for the building addition with a mortgage burning celebration.

  • Present Day – Our congregation continues to serve God in joy and faith!

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4