A Significant Role in Local and National History
First Congregational Church was formed in 1849. The Rev. Dr. Ray Palmer, noted scholar, theologian, and poet, was called as the first pastor. 

In 1852, the church hosted the “Albany Convention”, pivotal to the establishment of the denomination and the abolition of slavery.
In 1917, First Congregational Church relocated from its downtown site and became the first church to serve the growing "Woodlawn" area of the city.

The present church building, dedicated to Rev. Dr. Ray Palmer, was designed by noted architect Albert W. Fuller, who had been a member of the church. 

In 2014, First Congregational Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its contribution to the Congregational denomination and to the city of Albany.

Click here to read a more detailed version of our history with additional photos from our archive
Below are some of our videos about our history, including several episodes of our Web Series, "Stories from the Archive":
"Abolitionism and the 
Congregational Church" 
A Sermon from February 14th, 2021
"The Baptismal Font"
"Albany Convention of 1852"
"The New Old Education Wing"
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