About
Welcome to Plainfield Community Church! Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Plainfield Community Church is an American Baptist Church in its affiliation but is non-denominational in its tradition. We seek to serve our God and Christ through our worship, mission and outreach programs, and other ministries.
CHURCH HISTORY
The church is located on the western side of New Hampshire near the Connecticut River. The church building was built in the summer of 1840. Universalists, Baptists, and Methodists funded the building’s construction and various denominational congregations have used the building through the years. In the 1940s, membership and funds dwindled. In 1949, Rev. Laura Berthold and church members visited every household in Plainfield and explained the mission of creating a community church open to Christians of all denominations. Thus the Plainfield Community Church was born and within a few months membership grew to 125. We believe our church still represents Rev. Berthold’s mission by welcoming all Christians through our doors.
CHURCH FACILITY AND GROUNDS
Our church building has seen many physical changes over the years, with the work of the most recent upgrades done almost exclusively through the free and loving labor of members of our congregation. Recent work includes updating the sanctuary, the vestibule, the community room in the basement including a new kitchen, and adding a handicap chair on the stairs leading to the community room.
The Church also owns an historic building next door which serves as the parsonage. This building was built in 1800 and originally served as a tavern. The building was sold to the church in 1875 to serve as the home for pastors and their families. Behind the church and te parsonage is the lovely park owned by the church: “Cory Taber Memorial Field”. The field boasts a tennis court, pickleball court, basketball court, soccer field, baseball diamond, ice rink (winter), a playscape and is open to the public and used by the Town Recreation Department for youth athletics.
The majority of our membership lives in Plainfield and the surrounding communities (Cornish, Meriden, West Lebanon, Windsor, VT). Our church is theologically diverse: many of the members have had experience in other congregations and/or denominations. The majority of our current members are from the “over 50” age group with a scattering of younger families. It is part of the church’s vision to attract new members while continuing to retain, support and encourage the long-standing members.
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
We enjoy a wonderful fellowship every Sunday following worship and many attend to catch up with others. A weekly bible study is held and is well attended. Our church reaches out to the community. Some of our outreach includes: annual Fall Festival Rummage and Craft Sale, church suppers, Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast and Strawberry Shortcake social, annual Plant Sale, Neighborhood Block Party. Our church mission outreach includes a monthly Birthday Bank collection for area charities, America for Christ offering, collection of non-perishable food for the food pantry, Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child, and other organizations as the need arises.