Fitchburg's First Parish rich in faith and history
FITCHBURG -- The First Parish Universalist Unitarian Church building on Main Street turns 175 this year, and members of the congregation say the parish's long history is interwoven with the history of Fitchburg, and like this city, it needs to update itself for modern times.
The congregation has two anniversaries it observes: The founding of the parish in 1768 and the completion of the current building in 1837. The chapel has enough pew space for 400 worshippers, but organist Robin Dinda said the congregation now has only 66 adults.
"It's had a long, slow decline," said Dinda, who is also a music and humanities professor at Fitchburg State University.
He said the size of the congregation went down over the years but has leveled off and been constant since 2000.
Fitchburg was incorporated in 1764,