Community Church of Durham

Constructed in 1848, this Durhan church is home to a congregation of the United Church of Christ that was established in 1718 under the leadership of Reverend Hugh Adams. In 1893, Durham became home to the newly-established New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, which grew to become the University of New Hampshire in 1923. In that same year, this church structure was significantly enlarged, and the congregation changed its name from the Congregational Society in Durham to the Community Church of Durham.

Reverend Adams later suggested Durham for the name of the township given its proximity to a place known as Durham Point. In 1814, the community ended the practice of supporting an official congregation with a ministerial tax, a practice that was later adopted throughout the state. Without this required financial support, some area churches faltered but Durham's small congregation benefitted from the leadership of Reverend Federal Burt who arrived two years later and led the congregation for the next four decades. Burt established a Sunday School and increased the membership roles and secured enough support from members to complete this structure in 1848.

In 1957, the Congregational-Christian and Evangelical and Reformed churches merged to create the United Church of Christ. Four years later, this congregation voted to become a member of the United Church of Christ. The congregation added an educational building in 1963. During an extensive modernization and remodeling of the church in 1999, that building is now attached to the main structure. The congregation also welcomed the leadership of Reverend Mary Westfall at that time, marking the first time in the congregation's nearly three centuries that it was headed by a woman. In the 21st century, the membership has embraced the "Open and Affirming" designation of the United Church of Christ which openly declares the acceptance of all members regardless of their sexual orientation.

Charles E. Clar, "Our History," Official Website, Community Church of Durham; United Church of Christ. Accessed February 26th, 2023. https://www.ccdurham.org/who/.