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Our Services

Our service begins at 10 AM (9:00 AM in July and August) and normally runs about an hour with singing, time for prayer, and a brief sermon.  If you are bringing children, they will begin in the sanctuary with you and then, if they feel comfortable doing so, they will leave with the Sunday School after the “Children’s Moment,” which is about 15 minutes into the service.  Children are always welcome to stay in worship.

Slacks, jeans or suit…

come as you are!

Our worship is grounded in the Congregational tradition and many of our prayers, hymns and practices can be traced back to our Pilgrim roots.  We are, however, a modern people and are always introducing newer music and forms of praising God that reflect the ways we live and think today.  At Holliston UCC, we come from many different backgrounds and traditions so it is not uncommon to see people dressed in suits or dresses, as well as jeans and casual slacks.  Come as you are and dress as you feel comfortable.  You are welcome here!

Gabriel’s Trumpet

Ministry Teams

Meet Our Staff

Rev. Bonnie Steinroeder – Senior Minister

I have served as a parish minister for over 20 years in both Maine and Massachusetts. FCC Holliston is a special place for me as I was ordained here in 1999. I am passionate about creating a church where generations come together to both worship and serve in Christ’s name and where the theology stems from the understanding that everyone is a beloved child of God.

Paula Colburn – Church Administrator

I joined FCC in the fall of 2011.  I have over 20 years of experience in administration and business management.  I worked as an office manager for a boys summer camp in Maine for five years before starting my family.  I have worked part time with the boys camp for the last few years and joined our family here at the First Congregation Church.

Karen Putvinski – Business Administrator

As a member of FCC since 1999, I have been very active in the church community.  Serving many roles in the Christian Education ministries while my girls were young, I have enjoyed watching my children grow up in this church and its community. I hold a BS in Accounting from Bryant University and live in Holliston with my husband Matt and our family.  

Richard A.A. Larraga – Minister of Music

As a church musician, my goal is to offer the best we have to God.  This includes, but is not limited to, the level of performance, the choice of music, and the beauty of the liturgy.  I firmly believe people underestimate their talents.  I have spent my life seeing the potential and nurturing the inherent talent in members of the congregation.  In my free time, I send handwritten letters to over 30 pen pals around the world.  My wife Loretta and I make our home in Dedham with our three cats.

Meg Rosenberg – Director of Children and Youth Ministry 

I grew up attending the First Congregational Church in Wareham, MA. In 2020, I relocated to Holliston with my husband and two young daughters at which time we joined the FCC in Holliston. I love watching our children flourish and I am committed to nurturing the spiritual growth and well-being of the youngest members of our congregation.  I have a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.  

Judy doCurral – Executive Director, HCCC

I have been in the early childhood field since 1989.  While taking a short hiatus from the program, I’ve been with HCCC since 1992.  I’ve worn many hats here and can truly appreciate all that goes into being an early childhood professional at any stage.  With a Bachelor’s Degree from MCLA and a Master’s Degree from the University of South Carolina, I have a passion for working with both children and teachers.  It is exciting for me to see the wonder in a person of any age’s face when they discover something new.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family exploring the great outdoors.

Janelle Montanez – Assistant Director, HCCC

I started with HCCC in October of 2005 as a preschool teacher and became the Assistant Director in 2012.   I worked in the early childhood field in various capacities and with various age groups since 1999.  I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education and Care from UMass and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State University.  My favorite thing about working with young children is watching their delight when accomplishing something new.  When not working, I am a wife, and mom of two children.  I also love to bake, and decorate cakes.

Lou Guyott – Sexton

I have many years of experience in the construction industry and recently retired after working over 15 years as a maintenance superintendent.  My wife and I live in Franklin.  We have a daughter and two grandsons in Rhode Island and also a son who lives in Baltimore.  I enjoy outdoor activities such as boating and fishing.

Eva Stahl – Moderator

Our family joined FCC to be a part of a community that seeks to advance social justice and build stronger connections with one another. I am privileged to be a leader in our church community and help support decision-making in a way that honors each member and aligns with our spiritual commitments. I have a background in nonprofit leadership and health policy and work to address the inequities of our healthcare system. I live in Holliston with my husband Matthew, our three kids, and two dogs.  

Bob Shore – Treasurer

I have many great memories in my over 20 years here at FCC of Holliston, the highlight being married to my loving wife Kathy at the Church in 2001. We’ve enjoyed watching our two daughters, Laura and Anna, grow up in this congregation and the Holliston community. When not selling software to F1000 organizations, my favorite passions include cooking various cuisines (especially BBQ), travel, and music. Plus, I can even be motivated to do yardwork on weekends. I attended Bentley University and hold a BS in Economics/Finance, a Minor in Accounting, and a Master Degree in Finance. I appreciate the opportunity and am excited to serve as your Treasurer. 

Danielle McDowell – Clerk

I grew up in Holliston and attended FCC as a child. Years later, I found my way back to FCC, along with my husband and our two children. We chose to join FCC and have our children baptized here because of its open and affirming philosophy and its genuine, compassionate congregation members and leaders. I now call Medway home and work full-time for Waters doing market and competitive intelligence. I’m a big foodie who enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading. 

Meet Our Deacons

In December 1726 the selectmen met to find a minister of the Gospel.  They spoke to a young James Stone, who had graduated from Harvard in 1724 and was teaching in Framingham.  When word reached London that one of his own Scholarship men had become the first minister of the church in the town that was named in his honor, Thomas Hollis responded by sending over a costly 1679 pulpit Bible.  This Bible is still in use in our sanctuary today.  It was rebound in memory of Frank Wesley Smith in 1962.

Finally the meeting house was ready and, on November 7, 1728, it was noted “to hold a day of fasting and prayer to seek God’s favor in the gathering and settling a church in said town, and that Wednesday being the 20th day of the same month should be the day with God’s leave for the Ordaining the Reverend Mr. James Stone.”

The seven men who took letters of dismissal from the church in Sherborn to become the founders with the minister of the new Church were William Sheffield, John Goulding, Jonathan Whitney, Timothy Lealand, Isaac Bullard, Thomas Marshall, and Edmond Morse (see the Founders’ plaque).

The first church building served for nearly one hundred years, plain, unheated, and furnished with backless benches, for the men on the left side of the great doors, and for the women on the right (see the floor plan of the Old Meeting House as it was in 1730 on the wall outside of Jordan Hall).

Since early in the 1800’s, our Church had a missionary society that has responded to needs at home and across the world.  Later, with a membership of over 400, the church was sawed open and 20 feet were added.  This made possible the organ loft and room for the choir, with a parlor beneath.  The entire building was raised, the vestry added, and the organ moved to its present location.

In the early 1870’s, women were allowed to vote in Town Meeting for the first time.  Soon after gaining voting status the ladies, at their own expense, added a kitchen, paid for town water to be installed, and purchased carpeting.

In 1894 it was voted to dissolve the organization known as “The First Parish of Holliston” and to form a new church organization incorporated as the First Congregational Church of Holliston.  A pledge system to raise funds also began at this time with pledges ranging from $0.02 to $0.50 per week.

The present tower clock was added in April 1903 and steam heat was added in 1921. The present parsonage was inherited from Dr. Lake on Hollis Street. In 1930, the 61 horse sheds, next to the Church sanctuary, were removed. The Church merged with the Methodist Church in 1931. Shortly after this occurred, the Church conveyed to the Town of Holliston the land on which the Town Hall now stands.

Requesting & Renting Church Facilities

Residents of the Town of Holliston and surrounding communities are welcome to request use of the building and facilities of the First Congregational Church for their activities and events.  Anyone making a request, must have a church “sponsor”, who is a current member of the church and will be onsite for the event.

Members of the church are welcome to request use of the building and facilities for their personal activities.  Members of the church are not required to pay fees for use of spaces, but a donation is welcome and appreciated.

Please note that there are some guidelines that we need to observe when using rooms in the church:

Smoking or vaping and illegal drugs are prohibited anywhere within the church building and on the grounds surrounding the building.

The entire church is a “nut-free” facility.  No food containing nuts, nut products or processed in facilities that has nuts should be brought into the building.

Use of playgrounds is prohibited.

For information regarding church rentals please contact Paula Colburn or call 508-429-8608 ext 301.