The Stratham Community Church-A Brief History

One of the oldest churches in New Hampshire, the Stratham Community Church was established as the meeting house and parish church of the town in 1716 to comply with the requirements of being granted a royal charter. The original building served both as Church and town hall until 1837 when the present church was built.

In 1926 the Church was reorganized as a community church to minister to all Christians of the community, regardless of denominational tradition. Within the community it continues to dedicate itself to an ecumenical spirit. The present congregation represents a diversity of Christian backgrounds.

In 1963 the Stratham Community Church affiliated with the United Church of Christ, a church resulting from a merger of the Congregational Christian, Reformed, and Evangelical Churches. The church is a member of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. It values its relationship with the wider church. 

As the town grew, so did the demands on the church. In 1983 the former Baptist Church was moved from Portsmouth Avenue to its present location on Emery Lane. The building was named to Parker Parish Hall in honor of the Reverend Charles Parker, the last pastor of the Baptist congregation. 

As the new millennium approached, the need for more space increased. In 1999 the Stratham Community Church completed an ambitious expansion program. The sanctuary was enlarged and a new wing connecting the Church and the Parker Parish Hall was built. The new construction provides a modern facility for religious education classrooms, office space, meeting rooms and the locally renowned Clothes Attic.

The new construction is the result of a strong sense of faith and commitment to the Stratham Community Church. It was accomplished not only with the support of the congregation but also with the support of many members of the community. The Church continues its long standing tradition of ministering to the community and to the world. 

(To learn more about the history of the church and the town contact the Stratham Historical Society at 778-0434)