Gathered in 1746, Amicable Congregational Church (United Church of Christ), reflects the two faces of the Tiverton community in which it is situated. The congregation’s sense of tradition and good old-fashioned neighborliness seem fitting for a church surrounded by the history and quaintness of Tiverton Four Corners, in one of the few unspoiled farming and fishing villages left along the New England coast. On the other hand, Amicable Church’s openness and progressiveness is right at home among the array of nearby artisanal shops, yoga studios, meditation centers and galleries, which signal that Tiverton is keeping with modern trends as well as spiritually seeking in a variety of ways. A member of the United Church of Christ, Amicable Church espouses the denomination’s spiritual position that “God is still speaking.” This is reflected by beliefs that view the Bible and Christian traditions through the lenses of reason, science and in the context of the many cultures and belief systems of the world.

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Special Events

Amicable Church is a very active congregation with deep roots in the Tiverton community. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have taken seriously God's call to serve the least among us.

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In the past three years our Thanksgiving Basket Program has grown from offering "the fixings" for a full Thanksgiving dinner to about 35 families to over 110 families in the greater Tiverton community receiving these "baskets" last year. 

 

For twenty years our youth have raised awareness of and money for the homeless in our state by finding sponsors for their annual Homeless Awareness Sleepout which is held on the first Saturday evening in February. During worship the following morning, the youth share their thoughts and experience with the congregation. 

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Amicable Church has been a strong supporter of the RI Conference's Haiti Mission, a mission that supports churches, schools, and a health clinic in Haiti.  Several of our members have been on service trips to visit and support this mission.

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Amicable's members and friends are also good at mixing work and fun.  This happens most often in and through our special fundraising events. These events are a chance for us to work and laugh together, as we get to know one another better. The largest of these events, which occurs on the last Saturday, in June, is our Summer Festival where you will find a silent auction, yard sale items, books, children's games and toys, a quilt raffle, and delicious food. The event also includes a timed and measured 5K Race/Family Walk which takes place at Tiverton 4 Corners. On the first Saturday in December, we hold our Holiday Bazaar, with a large variety of Christmas cookies sold by the pound, a country kitchen, holiday wreaths and greens, and many new and good-as-new items for sale. New to our fundraising efforts is an ongoing Amicable Church Thrift Shop (A.C.T.S.). Open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we offer the community fine, gently used clothing and household items at very reasonable prices, with weekly sales. 

(Click HERE for more info.)

 

Services and Service/Discussion Series

In addition to our weekly 10:00 a.m. Sunday services, Christmas Eve services, and special Holy Week services, Amicable Church regularly holds special service/discussion series that explore a variety of topics. Childcare is available for all services, and all are invited to join us for Coffee Hour after Sunday services!

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A Very Brief History

First they left England for Holland and then Holland for the New World where they settled in Plymouth hoping to found “a more Godly society.” We now call them the Pilgrims, but they saw themselves as Separatists who felt the Church of England had fallen away from Christ’s teachings. Descendants of these early colonists settled in nearby Little Compton and gathered a church there in 1704. Settlers in the southern part of Tiverton made the long trek to Little Compton each Sunday for a long day of worship, prayer, and fellowship.                                                                                                                                                 

By 1746 distance and growing numbers encouraged the gathering of a new congregation and thus Amicable Church came to be. The first meeting house was on Lake Road near our historic cemetery at the junction with East Road.  In 1805 a new meeting house was erected just north of Tiverton Four Corners. This structure burned but was rebuilt in the shape of our present sanctuary in 1846.

 

Just what kind of church is this?

Amicable is a mainline Protestant church in the Congregational tradition. Congregational churches have no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose doctrine or form of worship.  Christ alone is the head of the church. We celebrate two sacraments, baptism and communion (The Lords’ Supper). We are a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) a union of four like-minded denominations who, since 1957, have joined in ministry and mission in this country and around the world. (ucc.org) We are completely self-supporting and govern our own affairs by vote of all the members.

 

Amicable Congregational Church Mission Statement

Amicable Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, led by God and the Holy Spirit, endeavors to follow Jesus Christ's example by serving as a beacon of light, bringing the world into relationship with God. We welcome all to join our faith journey as we worship, work, and learn together building community, nurturing hope, promoting wholeness, and seeking justice by sharing God's gifts of grace and love.