By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – “We live in times when we are inundated with news – Facebook, Twitter, CNN, Fox News – and more specifically with bad news,” said Rev. Kazimierz (Kaz) Bem, service pastor of the First Church in Marlborough Congregational. “The media would have us either despair as to the state of the world or entertain us to death. Yet the good news that hardly ever makes the headlines is that there is a God.”
As the 350th year of operation is observed by the First Church, parishioners join with Rev. Kaz in welcoming people of all walks of life, ages, races, nationalities and theological convictions, in the very same way the doors to the church were opened to early settlers 350 years ago.
In celebration of the anniversary, the first in a series of special events planned was a Sermon Auction held in January with people taking part in an auction to have words and phrases used in a sermon. The proceeds were donated to the Youth and Confirmation Ministry. On Feb. 23, the Marlborough Historical Society held a special program “Discovering New England’s Hidden Histories” with speaker Jeff Cooper, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, examining archives of the First Church and presenting his findings.
Also planned is a Pentecost Sunday, May 15, featuring a multicultural brunch with over 15 nationalities from the congregation preparing menu items from various countries. An anniversary gala with a reception will be held Saturday, June 25, at the local Saints Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church.
The First Church was established as a House of Public Worship in 1662, erected on the site of the present Walker Building on Main Street, and was known as the Church of Christ of Marlborough. The church building, which stands today at 37 High St., was built in 1853 and has gone through major renovations and repairs through the years.
During the hurricane of 1938, the steeple and bell toppled into the church auditorium taking with it nearly the entire roof and partially demolishing the church. Many changes were made in the new structure to include the replacement of the high steeple with a bullfinch belfry. In 1958-‘59 additions were made to the rear of the building to include the Parish Hall. The most recent work was in the summer of 2005, replacing the old steam heating system with a new hot water system.
Rev. Kaz has been leading the First Church since the summer of 2011 when he graduated from Yale Divinity School. He thoroughly enjoys his service and agrees wholeheartedly with church leaders who state: “We are a family, old in tradition and history, respectful, secure, diligent, uncertain about the future, asking God for guidance.”
Weekly Sunday services begin at 10 a.m. with childcare and Sunday school provided through grade 8. On the first Sunday of the month the church celebrates the sacrament of Holy Communion.