Who We Are
A progressive, inclusive Christian community in Bakersfield.
All are welcome here.
You deserve a church that sees you, hears you, and welcomes you without question.
At First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, a congregation of the United Church of Christ, we are proud to be an Open and Affirming church—celebrating all gender identities, sexual orientations, races, backgrounds, and questions of faith.
Whether you’ve been hurt by religion, are exploring your faith, or just want a place to belong, we’re here for you.
What We Believe
We believe that God’s love is unconditional and meant for everyone.
We follow the teachings of Jesus, not to exclude or judge—but to include, heal, and empower.
Faith should grow with your questions, not disappear because of them.
Church should be a place of safety, not shame.
Serving others is an act of worship.
What Makes Us Different
We don’t just talk about love—we live it.
You’ll find us feeding neighbors through our Food Pantry, showing up for social justice, and working alongside community partners through The HOPE Project.
We open our doors to groups that support recovery, education, and inclusion.
We’re not the biggest church in town, but our hearts are wide open
We are an Open and Affirming Church
What is Open and Affirming? "Open and Affirming" (ONA) is the designation for congregations in the United Church of Christ that have adopted a public covenant that welcomes all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity fully into the church's life and ministry. Churches become ONA to send a clear message that God's welcome is for all people and that this particular church is a safe place for the LGBTQA+ community. We acknowledge God's acceptance of every individual and Jesus' commandment to love one another. We strive for justice and equality for all of God's children.
Your Next Step
Come visit.
Come curious.
Come tired, hopeful, skeptical, or searching.
There’s room for you here—just as you are.
