Only Church in town that did not attend the Easter Ecumenical service or the Sunday sunrise service. Can't even talk at council meetings anymore.

Most beautiful church in town, but sadly on the verge of closing due to being poorly managed..After reading all the reviews it is clear someone keeps adding positive comments from people that are not church members..The truth is this church has little to offer its members and the community.

Excellent place to be encouraged to study the Bible, God's Word. Sunday School is studying a curriculum about trusting the Bible. The sermons are Biblical and centered on the person of Jesus, the Christ.

We checked this church out and when we found out all the BAD stuff going on we decided to leave. Boring sermons, 3 kids on the youth group, less than 50 members and a failing budget that is getting worse every week, yet they continue to spend money on trips to new orleans with no effors to raise money. Why would you want to go here?...Its all lies saying its a great place to go. They don't even the phone right when you call them, also the doors are always locked during the week?.

From Vernon Hickey, former member of The Congregational Church in Wilmington. Today is October 22nd, it is the first time I have been on Patch, I was directed to this site because someone asked me if I had written some comments. I notice there is someone using the title Vern and Vern1, who made some negative comments regarding the church. I just want anyone who is reading this to understand that those comments did not come from Vernon Hickey. I was one member or a voting group at the church who voted on discontinuing the use of the church by NA, AA etc..., the main reason being that religious services were going to be expanded. The voting group thought the church should be used as a church.
Second, my wife and I left Wilmington Congregational for several reasons. The main reason was that we started attending the church were my brother and sister in law where attending, and our toddler daughter could be with her toddler cousins.
As far as Wilmington Congregational, we did not like the in fighting and lack of support for Pastor Russell Kent. Pastor Kent is a man or God, he was the one who married Keri and I at the church, we have a great deal of respect for him, and Pastor Russ was the main reason we stayed at Wilmington Congregational as long as we did. It was the people who were constantly against the Pastor who drove us away. It is sad that some person used the somewhat unique name of Vern on this thread, as an imposter, it is deceitful, may God forgive you.

@Kevin Mac HAHAHA!!!! On a more serious note, I have to side with the nurse on this one. It's a hilarious claim to state the church does nothing for its members or community. EVERY church does stuff for their members and community. I think everybody knows that. I don't think the church will lose members based on boys scouts either LOL.

I will ask Kevin to appeal

After speaking with multiple church members, it seems Troop 56 may not have many places to resort to and that you are but one bitter apple. The Methodist is already housing one Scout group as are other places in town. "How Sad" that you are a one man team destroying what these boys have just to put down a church and its members. Following the last of your posts, I thought of ways to help you discern Scouts from God. If you go to the little search box at the top right portion of this page and type, "Congregational Church", you'll be quite surprised at how much coverage the church received from Patch regarding community events. Things like: Picnics, 4th of July events, fairs, Penny Sales, Blood Drives, 911 Remembrances/Town partnership, Vacation Bible School, additional summer services open to all denominations, and many different interfaith gatherings to bring Christians together everywhere. These are just a few in that little search engine above, since arguing the the members support of community has been slandered here. Where were the Boy Scouts? Did they hand out food, fliers, collection baskets? Did they serve a meal to somebody less fortunate or bake for any of these activities? No! They don't have to because they are not affiliated with the church!!!! This is where your confusion makes a mockery of yourself as a parent to one of these Scouts, not of the church, which is what you've tried to do. We're not losing members over a Scout Troop. We gain members through outreach

My apologies for not responding earlier as my days are quite busy. I don't have the luxury of sitting behind a computer conjuring up new names. I will be speaking with the Rev., his wife, and the church committee about your views on behalf of the Boy Scouts. When the division between House of Lord and Boy Scout Troop cannot be made, changes need to occur. It's not fair to this church, to me, or the other members to be lied to and about. Our members are extremely proactive in our faith, our church, and our community. I don't think you have any right to disagree that, but I understand complete stupidity plays a major factor at this point. To quote you, "How sad is that". How sad that you're representing a group of boys with such hatred and lies. Certainly we do not tolerate this in our church nor in the teachings of Jesus Christ, whether you're a renter of a room or not. To threaten that we'll lose church members because of your view point is incorrect. We don't go to church to support Boy Scouts, who have no affiliation with the Protestant faith or Christians in general, we go to support our beliefs in Jesus Christ and learn/review Scripture. Bringing your views to light on a public forum certainly provides food for thought. As I stated before, if no clear distinction between religion and rent can be made, perhaps it's time to pull the plug to prevent such hatred and lies from reaching the boys ears and our member's. Your words and slander are not what we represent as a faith.

Been reading the reviews and want to comment. Nurse Kay. You understand you need people around to spread the word of the Gospel and may get new church members by welcoming groups at the same time. I heard about this church turning away groups and asking for the scouts to leave. Where does it say in the bible to turn away people?.Also heard the church is not involved making meals for the elderly and many other issues that would help the needy and the church leader never attend any town functions to represent the church..

You understand that the point of this church is to spread the word of the Gospel right? It's not a recreation center-that's at the Town Hall, which by the way, has rooms for rent for recreational activities. I never said it was too bad for the Boy Scouts or any other group seeking cheap rent vs. the other places in town. I simply stated that you're judging a church based on a Boy Scout Troop, which I realize now, you're just trolling with multiple names and silliness to get a rise out of people. The educated would base a rating on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the ministry, and fellowship. The church is absolutely welcoming to anybody looking to hear the word of God and study the bible. They also facilitate baptisms, holy unions in Gods name (marriage), the passing over ceremony (funerals), and everything between. They invite other Protestant groups from all over the world to join them in fellowship, while also showing them our wonderful community in hopes that we'll all gain something from each other. Speaking of community, the church and members do a great deal helping those in our community who are currently struggling, whether it be illness, finance, transportation, or a number of other things. Meals are always being made and delivered from the church kitchen or from members. The Pastor himself will provide a ride to a member in need of medical care or a trip to the grocery store or visit with a member in the hospital or anybody in need of comfort and healing. Thank you.

Troop 56 has used this church for over 80 years and you say it's to bad.
A church is suppose to be welcoming, not throw groups out into the street.
How sad can you get...

How is it their responsibility to facilitate these groups? Please be aware that TOPS and AA support groups have been declined at many other places in town. Why aren't you condemning them? The church is not allowed to support any specific group as all of the groups are NOT suppose to align themselves with any religious sect by law. The church is not responsible for these groups as they are not church related groups or even Protestant affiliated groups.These groups have ample places to hold their meetings, but have to get approval for rent first. St. Thomas, St. Dorothy, The Methodist, the Library, and Winchester Hospital to name a few, all have spare function rooms for rent. These types of places in EVERY town steer away from "groups" because of attitudes like yours. They are held responsible by people like yourself for the groups and their actions/beliefs, when there's suppose to be a clear cut line differentiating the two. You can't just go around saying a church, hospital, or library sucks because they won't let boy scouts hold their meetings there. I believe a House of the Lord should be judged upon fellowship and preaching. I believe that's the purpose of a church. TOPS has nothing to do with religion, so I'm unclear how that would effect church service. AA specifically keeps all sects of religion out of their groups as do all of these types of support groups as a rule and guideline. Regardless of religious schedule, it's not their obligation to facilitate local groups.

Please check this church calendar and you will see no AA, no NA, no TOPS
as they were asked to leave by the front office. Troop 56 would be gone too if not for members voting to override asking them to leave. How can Nurse Kay say they are welcoming when they ask groups to leave?

This is a wonderful church to hear the word of God and hear the teachings of Jesus Christ. The doors are always open to anybody in need of religious healing regardless of faith.

-Interesting side note: Church membership has not declined due to lack of space to accommodate large, growing, non-religious groups. They do everything in their power to facilitate the needs of people, but if it does interfere with religious teachings (the main purpose of this building), then they try and work something out with all groups. They also offer their free space at little to no cost, which is why they're so highly sought out in this town. Kudos to them!

This church has kicked out AA,NA and TOPs and is not a welcoming church. The front office is now working on kicking out Troop 56 boy scouts.
Membership has dropped way down due to above issues.

Amazing People who are always very welcoming!