First Church — as we humbly call ourselves — is the oldest congregation in Lake County.
We began as a church during the presidency of James Madison, the fourth US President. Founded in 1810, we have been ministering within Painesville and the wider community for more than 200 years.
Formally, we are First Church, Congregational, with a membership of 300 people drawn from all segments of our community. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Statement of Faith
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.
Amen.
What We Believe
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify.
We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable. It is the will of God that every person belongs to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.
We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction.
The life of our church extends across First Church Congregational and beyond, providing excellent opportunities to make a difference, build new relationships, and grow spiritually. Make church an adventure by getting involved!
Our pastors, administrative staff, and leadership team are committed to supporting the vision and purpose of the church and ministries of those with whom the church shares covenant, individually and collectively.
The Reverend Thomas J. Cofer has had the privilege of serving as our Pastor since 2009. A native of Michigan City, Indiana, Tom, his wife Lisa, their twin daughters Zoe and Kara, and their son Liam enjoy living in the area and are active in the community in different ways.
Tom has earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN, and a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.
In addition to serving the congregation and the community, Pastor Tom enjoys spending time with his family, rooting for the Lake County Captains and the Cleveland Indians, and getting into trouble working on things around the house.
