United Church of Christ

United Church of Christ

700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
United States

Attesting Officer
Destiny Hisey
Associate Director, Center for Analytics Research and Data


Media Contact
Connie Larkman

41.4984624, -81.6878624


The historical roots of The United Church of Christ reach back to some of the first Christian communities in the United States – Pilgrims, Puritans and German settlers. Two churches, each the product of an earlier union, joined together in 1957 to form the United Church of Christ – the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

“Congregational” and “free church” best describe the United Church of Christ’s form of governance. The denomination’s Constitution says Jesus Christ is the “sole Head” of the church, and the local congregation is its “basic unit.” Local churches call their own pastors and make their own decisions about membership, worship, budget, programs and other matters. UCC congregations are affiliated with one of 38 conferences, many of them encompassing one or more U.S. states. The main deliberative body of the UCC is its General Synod, whose 750-plus delegates meet every two years. In between the Synod, the 52-member United Church of Christ Board conducts the business of the denomination.

Since 1957, the United Church of Christ (UCC) has embodied a fierce commitment for the equal rights of all, including its clergy. In 1972, the UCC became the first Protestant denomination to ordain an openly gay man; and in 2005, the Church formally affirmed “Equal Marriage Rights for All,” becoming the first mainline Christian denomination to support same gender marriage. In 2013, the UCC was the first mainline denomination to vote to move toward fossil fuel divestment as one strategy to address climate change. The UCC is also active on issues related to immigration reform, racial justice, and literacy.

The Core Values of the United Church of Christ are continuing testament, extravagant welcome, and changing lives; and all settings of the church seek to live into the UCC’s Vision of a just world for all.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
1,058,423
0
0
1,058,423
5,227
2009
1,080,199
0
0
1,080,199
5,287
2007
1,145,281
0
0
1,145,281
5,377
2006
1,218,541
0
0
1,218,541
5,452
2003
1,296,652
0
0
1,296,652
5,738
2001
1,359,105
109
0
1,359,105
5,888
1999
1,401,682
113
0
1,401,682
5,961
1998
1,421,088
0
0
1,421,088
6,017
1997
1,438,181
0
0
1,438,181
6,061
1996
1,452,565
0
0
1,452,565
6,110
1995
1,472,213
0
0
1,472,213
6,145
1994
1,501,310
0
0
1,501,310
6,180
1993
1,530,178
0
0
1,530,178
6,225
1992
1,555,382
0
0
1,555,382
6,264
1991
1,583,830
0
0
1,583,830
6,301
1990
1,599,212
0
0
1,599,212
6,260
1989
1,625,969
0
0
1,625,969
6,388
1988
1,644,787
0
0
1,644,787
6,362
1987
1,662,568
0
0
1,662,568
6,395
1986
1,676,105
0
0
1,676,105
6,406
1985
1,683,777
0
0
1,683,777
6,408
1984
1,696,107
0
0
1,696,107
6,419
1983
1,701,513
0
0
1,701,513
6,427
1982
1,716,723
0
0
1,716,723
6,461
1981
1,726,244
0
0
1,726,244
6,443
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2010
3,764
3,768
2,642
10,174
2009
3,884
3,687
2,620
10,191
2007
4,425
3,615
2,705
10,745
2006
4,076
3,542
2,650
10,268
2003
4,219
3,292
2,812
10,323
2001
4,304
3,253
2,790
10,347
1999
4,264
3,262
2,776
10,302
1998
4,317
3,181
2,805
10,303
1997
4,379
0
0
10,296
1996
4,627
0
0
10,311
1995
4,439
0
0
10,256
1994
4,443
0
0
10,213
1993
4,733
0
0
10,230
1992
4,512
0
0
10,203
1991
4,581
0
0
10,171
1990
4,813
0
0
9,635
1989
5,614
0
0
9,870
1988
5,096
0
0
10,145
1987
5,116
0
0
10,080
1986
5,127
0
0
10,071
1985
5,103
0
0
10,085
1984
5,109
0
0
10,157
1983
5,277
0
0
10,095
1982
5,171
0
0
10,029
1981
4,677
0
0
10,008
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
0
0
209,260
209,260
2009
4,496
0
220,169
220,169
2007
4,579
0
219,249
219,249
2006
4,616
0
220,766
220,766
2003
4,889
0
291,609
291,609
2001
3,685
0
323,842
323,842
1999
3,137
0
342,560
342,560
1998
0
0
351,244
351,244
1997
0
0
0
358,651
1996
0
0
0
353,877
1995
0
0
0
381,992
1994
0
0
0
379,630
1993
0
0
0
401,003
1992
0
0
0
407,261
1991
0
0
0
413,255
1990
0
0
0
425,929
1989
0
0
0
433,980
1988
6,395
0
0
437,836
1987
6,395
0
0
435,628
1986
6,406
0
0
441,547
1985
6,408
0
0
450,734
1984
6,419
0
0
448,505
1983
6,427
0
0
453,326
1982
6,421
0
0
471,003
1981
6,443
0
0
472,697
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$70,331,870
$938,000,000
$868,000,000
2009
$67,251,700
$929,000,000
$861,000,000
2007
$77,117,434
$937,000,000
$860,000,000
2006
$73,611,894
$917,000,000
$843,000,000
2003
$76,647,374
$879,000,000
$802,000,000
2001
$80,464,673
$853,000,000
$772,000,000
1999
$76,550,398
$777,000,000
$701,000,000
1998
$74,861,463
$753,000,000
$678,000,000
1997
$70,180,193
$721,000,000
$651,000,000
1996
$69,013,791
$685,000,000
$616,000,000
1995
$67,806,448
$646,000,000
$578,000,000
1994
$67,269,762
$624,000,000
$557,000,000
1993
$71,046,517
$622,000,000
$551,000,000
1992
$73,906,372
$595,000,000
$521,000,000
1991
$73,149,887
$617,000,000
$544,000,000
1990
$71,984,897
$599,000,000
$527,000,000
1989
$72,300,698
$569,000,000
$497,000,000
1988
$65,734,348
$536,000,000
$471,000,000
1987
$66,870,922
$519,000,000
$452,000,000
1986
$63,808,091
$493,000,000
$429,000,000
1985
$62,464,918
$472,000,000
$410,000,000
1984
$58,679,094
$444,000,000
$386,000,000
1983
$55,716,557
$388,000,000
$333,000,000
1982
$52,738,069
$376,000,000
$324,000,000
1981
$48,329,399
$349,000,000
$301,000,000