Friedens United Church of Christ

Church History

In 2023, Friedens United Church of Christ is celebrating 165 years of mission and ministry!

In 1858 Friedens (Frieden is the German word for peace) was organized by the German speaking Lutheran and Reformed people living in the immediate area of Sumneytown. It began as a “union” church, serving both the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations until 1957 when the Lutheran congregation moved to a separate location. Eventually the German Reformed church united with the Evangelical Church and was known as the Evangelical and Reformed Church from the 1930’s through 1957, when another historic uniting occurred with the Congregational Church to form the United Church of Christ (UCC).

The UCC’s motto is “that we may all be one” (John 17). It is Christ’s teaching that seeks to bring together all the peoples of the world into Christian unity. UCC churches represent a wide variety of traditions, but first and foremost they see themselves as “one in Christ”.

Friedens Sumneytown has been a source of Christian nurturing for over 150 years; preaching, teaching and living the gospel of Jesus Christ in worship, prayer and fellowship.