History

The Congregational Church of West Medford began in the mid-1860's in the home of Rachel Barnes, wife of Henry Barnes, when children in the area requested she teach them Bible stories.

By 1872 a church was built on the corner of Harvard and Bower streets (site of the current West Medford Fire Station) to provide a worship space for all the families who had become a part of the gathering that started in the Barnes home.

In 1903 the first church burned and the current church was built, and completed in 1904, on land given by the Barnes family. The church continued to grow and in 1954 an addition was completed that would provide more classrooms and fellowship space.

There are many stories of individuals and families who have been a part of the history of this church. We continue in the tradition of Rachel Barnes and founding members – seeking to know more about the stories of our faith tradition and how they impact our lives today.