WESTBOROUGH – Sally Peterson has been a member of the Congregational Church of Westborough for more than six decades. Her family has attended the church for five generations.
“My roots run deep in this church,” said Peterson.
She was among the congregants celebrating the church’s 300th anniversary with a Founder’s Day Service on Sunday, Oct. 27.
“Today we celebrate 300 years of faith, love and service,” said Rev. Betsy Dorsi, the church’s current pastor.
The guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Kazimierz Bem, is the current pastor of the First Church of Marlborough, the “mother church” for the Westborough parish. He recalled how the Westborough church was founded after its first minister, Rev. Ebenezer Parkman, was “properly ordered and dismissed” from the Marlborough church in 1724.
When Parkman began his ministry in Westborough, it was “on the edge” of civilization, said Bem. Parkman would serve for more than 50 years. The Parkman Chapel is named in his honor, and it contains his pine pulpit and family Bible.
The service included a performance “300 Years of Faith,” with lyrics written specially for the church; and an acknowledgement for those who have attended the church for at least 50 years.
After the service, the church rang its bell 300 times.
Upcoming events
The church is planning several events for November and December, including the annual Interfaith Service on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m.; the Evergreen Fair on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; an Open House with tours of the church building on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.; a performance of “Messiah” by the Assabet Valley Mastersingers on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3:30 p.m.; and Christmas services on Dec. 24 and 29.
For information on the church, visit https://uccwestboro.org/home
