On January 20, 1849, the members of the church passed and published two resolutions. The first resolution was against slavery, the second in favor of temperance. Influenced by this history, we continue to reach out to the community, and we proudly continue our rich heritage of involvement in social justice issues: in the 1980’s declaring the property a nuclear free zone; in 2008 voting to become an Open & Affirming congregation, making explicit our welcome to all people and especially affirming the LGBTQ+ community.

In 1923, First Congregational yoked with Mt. Zion, in Cornelia. In 2017, we added Davies Memorial in Potosi, forming the UCC Ministry Co-op of Southwest Wisconsin. We are a founding congregation in Family Promise of Grant County. In cooperation with the Homeless Task Force, we hosted a transitional homeless shelter on our property. In our quest for a more just and generous world, we continually invite the wider community to our educational endeavors, covering topics from Bible studies to justice issues, including white privilege, systemic racism, immigration experiences in Wisconsin, and environmental preservation.

Members have expressed their faith by participating in community activities: helping develop Jenor Towers, an apartment with affordable rent for Seniors; helping establish the Thrift Shop, providing clothing and voucher assistance for those in need; initiating a recycling program; serving at the Food Pantry; initiating the United Nations flag raising at City Hall in October each year; working to establish Family Advocates to assist families dealing with domestic abuse; and helping form the local Rainbow Alliance and Pride in the Park.

Members have also worked beyond the community, establishing relationships and exchanges with communities in Milwaukee, the Southside of Chicago, and in Nicaragua. The congregation of First Congregational United Church of Christ Platteville continues to honor its progressive roots in peace and justice with the motto, “Rooted in God. Reaching out in love. Embracing All.”

The Congregational Church is one of the oldest religious organizations in the State, having been established over forty years ago. [In 1839,] the congregation was without stated preaching and destitute of any convenient place of worship. […] During the autumn and winter of 1840-41, arrangements were made for the erection of a building to serve as a place of worship, and also as an academy. A school was at once opened in the second story, the first story being occupied as a place of worship.

[In 1844], arrangements of a preliminary character were completed for the erection of a permanent church edifice. The two lots upon which the present house stands were purchased, and, in 1845, the second home of the church was commenced. This was so far completed as to be dedicated to the worship of God December 20, 1846.

-Excerpt from History of Grant County, (1881) by Consul Willshire Butterfield, Chapter IX: Platteville