ABOUT US
Linfield Church can be traced as far back as 1862 with the gift of land from Jefferson March. This was the seed of our growth. The actual building of the chapel took place during the summer of 1878 under the name Limerick Station Union Chapel. Then, on July 6, 1891, the church was incorporated as the Linfield Reformed Church, reflecting the change in name of the town. We remained the Reformed Church until June 1934, when the Reformed and Evangelical churches merged. This union remained in effect for 23 years until, in June of 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Church to become what is now known as the United Church of Christ. The church building has grown to accommodate an expanding congregation. These changes included a church school extension in 1940 to house a growing Sunday School. In 1958 the sanctuary was expanded, and Christian Education rooms were added. The illuminated steeple and large stained-glass window were part of this expansion project. In 1969 a two-story addition was completed to provide additional educational space, replacing the "church house" which was torn down. We take pride in maintaining the church property with improvement projects on a yearly basis.
OUR FAITH
Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, we are a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church, joining faith and action. In covenant with the church in all its settings, we serve God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world as made manifest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"That they may all be one."
John 17:21
OUR COMMUNITY
We are a small faith community with BIG hearts. Our welcoming and faithful congregation has embarked on a journey to minister within the community and ourselves. The members of Linfield UCC are a community of followers of Jesus Christ. We seek growth in our faith through worship, mission, education, fellowship, and loving service to others.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Love is in the air—or at least in the greeting card aisle. And while I enjoy a good piece of
chocolate as much as the next person, February also gives us a chance to pause and
reflect on a deeper, sturdier kind of love: agape love.
When we think about Jesus and his teachings, many of us picture parables—stories
meant to bring big, holy ideas into everyday life. Farmers sowing seeds, lost coins,
wayward sons. And yet, if we’re honest (and the disciples were), these stories were
often… confusing. Even those closest to Jesus struggled to understand what he meant. In
John 16:29, the disciples finally exclaim, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!”
But when it comes to what matters most, Jesus doesn’t hide behind metaphor or story.
When asked about the greatest commandment, he answers with remarkable clarity:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind… and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
This love Jesus speaks of isn’t the butterflies-in-your-stomach kind. It’s not based on
feelings, attraction, or whether someone is easy to love. Agape love is a choice. A
commitment. A way of showing up with care, service, patience, and compassion—even
when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costs us something.
During this month of love, we are reminded that loving God and loving our neighbor are
inseparable. You can’t really do one without the other. Loving our neighbor means
seeing them, valuing them, and caring for them—not because they deserve it, but
because that’s how God loves us.
Later this month, on February 18th, we will begin the season of Lent—a season that
walks us step by step through Jesus’ ultimate demonstration of agape love as we move
toward the cross. Lent invites us to practice this love more intentionally, more visibly,
more faithfully.
As one small but meaningful way to do that, every Wednesday at noon during Lent, our
Mission Committee will host a soup social here at the church. I invite you to practice
loving your neighbor by seeking them out—especially those you don’t see every day—
and inviting them to join you for fellowship, conversation, and nourishment for both
body and soul.
Love, after all, is meant to be shared.
With love,
Pastor Caroline