Visiting & Worship

What time are Sunday services at First Congregational Church of Martinez?
Sunday worship services are held every week at 10:00 a.m. You're welcome to join us in person at our historic sanctuary or attend online via Zoom at https://bit.ly/43QEiog.
 

Where is First Congregational Church of Martinez located?
We're located at 1229 Court St., Martinez, CA 94553. You can reach us by phone at (925) 228-0549.
 

Is First Congregational Church of Martinez open to visitors?
Absolutely. We practice radical hospitality — everyone is welcome, no matter where you are in your faith journey, your background, or your beliefs. When we say all are welcome, we mean ALL.
 

Do I need to hold specific beliefs to attend?
No. We welcome theological questions and non-dogmatic openness. We value divine mystery over religious certainty, so you don't need to have everything figured out to show up and belong here.
 

About Our Faith & Denomination

What denomination is First Congregational Church of Martinez?
We are a member congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a denomination formed in 1957 from multiple streams of North American Protestant Christianity.
 

Is First Congregational Church of Martinez LGBTQ+ affirming?
Yes. We are an officially designated Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation — a formal UCC commitment to welcoming, affirming, and including LGBTQ+ people in the full life of the church. Our congregation voted to become Open and Affirming on July 2, 2005.
 

What does "Open and Affirming" mean?
Open and Affirming is the United Church of Christ's designation for congregations that make an explicit, public commitment to welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. At FCCM, this isn't just a label — it's a lived value.
 

What does worship look like at FCCM?
Our worship follows the rhythms of the Christian calendar. We use the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of biblical scripture readings used by many Protestant and Catholic churches. On the first Sunday of every month, we celebrate Holy Communion — and everyone is welcome at the table.
 

History & Building

How old is First Congregational Church of Martinez?
FCCM was founded on June 18, 1874, by thirteen people — ten women and three men — who gathered to form a church covenant. We celebrated our 150th anniversary in 2024.
 

Is the church building historic?
Yes. Our sanctuary is approximately 99 years old. We are stewards of this historic building and are committed to using it well — both for our congregation and for the wider Martinez community.
 

When did FCCM join the United Church of Christ?
Our congregation voted to join the United Church of Christ in 1960.
 

Getting Involved

Who is the pastor at First Congregational Church of Martinez?
Our pastor is Rev. Lori Ortiz. Her guiding belief: "Unity does not mean uniformity — the great diversity of creation is one of God's many gifts of abundance."
 

What ministries and programs does FCCM offer?
We have several active ministries including a Radical Welcome In Ministry, Memorial Ministry, Women's Fellowship, and a Choir. We also offer fellowship activities and opportunities for community service.
 

How do I stay connected with what's happening at FCCM?
You can subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter at fccmartinez.org, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/fccmucc, or contact us directly at (925) 228-0549.
 

How do I contact FCCM?
Visit fccmartinez.org/contact, call us at (925) 228-0549, or stop by 1229 Court St., Martinez, CA 94553.