Center Church is rooted in the community of faith established by Jesus Christ and we believe that the Church is universal, consisting of persons of every race, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity and socioeconomic background. Following Christ’s instruction, we receive a person into the church through the Sacrament of Baptism, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In our tradition, we practice both infant as well as adult baptism. We believe that baptism is a Christian, not a denominational sacrament, therefore it should only be administered once in a person’s life. However, on the second Sunday of January, we observe the liturgical day of the Baptism of Christ and all baptized Christians are invited to renew their baptismal vows.
Baptism is not only a personal celebration in the lives of individuals, but also a central celebration in the life of the local church. For this reason, the Sacrament of Baptism at Center Church takes place, almost always, in the presence of the whole community of faith gathered for public worship. The entire congregation rejoices with the newly baptized person as each congregant remembers his/her own baptism.
To find out more information about the Sacrament of Baptism or to schedule the baptism of a child at Center Church, please contact our church office.
Center Church believes that marriage is a gift God has given to humankind and reflects God’s will that we learn to live not just for ourselves, but also for that special person that makes our lives more whole. Christian marriage is a covenant through which two persons are united in a life-long commitment to respect, to support, to honor and to love one another.
Members and non-members are welcome to have their wedding at our historic Meeting House. Space for small wedding receptions is available on the second floor parlor of the Church House.
Our Minister presides at all weddings held at Center Church. For interfaith couples, a representative of another faith tradition is welcome to co-officiate at the wedding ceremony alongside our Minister. Assuming that the wedding will include music, Center Church Music Director is expected to play at the service.
To schedule your wedding at Center Church, please contact the Church Office and make an appointment to meet with the Minister. You may view our wedding policies here.
Cremated remains of church members can be interred in the Memorial Garden at Center Church. Interment is permanent and final and cremains cannot be retrieved following the service of committal. The location of the interment is decided by the Minister in consultation with the Board of Deacons. The placement of flowers and/or other markers are not permitted. The names of those interred in the Memorial Garden will be inscribed on a plaque and placed in the Meeting House.
Funeral and Memorial Services are normally conducted for members of Center Church only, but in exceptional circumstances, services for non-members can be also held in the Meeting House.
Services are not conducted on Sundays or on major Christian or civil holidays.
The Minister and the Director of Music of Center Church are to be consulted prior to scheduling either a funeral or a memorial service. The Board of Deacons will be responsible for planning and organizing any reception held in the Church House following the services.
To learn more about funerals, memorial services, or the Memorial Garden (including policies and fees), contact the Church Office or the Minister directly.