108 Years of History
First Church UCC Phoenix, AZ
First Church UCC Phoenix Started as a Congregational Bible School by the Rev. Samuel E. Lynd of the Home Missionary Society. About 35 members met at a bungalow at Portland and 3rd Streets. They soon chose to become The First Congregational Church of Phoenix, Arizona, June 25, 1917, and bought land nearby. By 1919, the Parish House was built; the basic present sanctuary was built in 1942; and the entire campus completed in 1968. The name was changed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Phoenix, Arizona, in 1960, when we joined the UCC.
1917 was a year of seismic global shifts—especially in the midst of World War I and revolutionary change. Here are some of the most significant events:
U.S. Enters World War I:
On April 6, the United States declared war on Germany, marking a major turning point in the war and global politics.
Russian Revolutions:
Russia experienced two major upheavals—the February Revolution, which led to Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication, and the October Revolution, which brought the Bolsheviks to power and set the stage for the Soviet Union.
First Jazz Recording:
The Original Dixieland Jass Band recorded the first jazz record in February, marking a milestone in music history.
Puerto Ricans Gain U.S. Citizenship:
The Jones-Shafroth Act, enacted in March, granted U.S. citizenship to residents of Puerto Rico.
Women’s Suffrage Movement:
The “Silent Sentinels,” led by Alice Paul, began protesting outside the White House for women’s voting rights.