Rich in stories of groups of caring people pulling together to build the church and community, the present church was organized Jan. 29, 1868 with six charter members and known as the "Congregational Church of Hart." Rev. W.W. Crane was the first regular pastor, and meetings were held in private homes and public halls.
    In April 1883 the church was reorganized and the foundation for the current building was laid in the spring of 1885 and it was completed in August 1887. Property was donated by Edmond P. and Warren Wigton.
    A church manual was adopted and filed with the Oceana County Clerk's office in October 1883 under the name "First Congregational Church Society of Hart."
    The parish house was built during the pastorate of Rev. A. Brinkhorst (1895-1899) and served as the parsonage until 1962 when the Johnson Street property was purchased and a new parsonage constructed there.
    In 1956 the Elizabeth Lincoln Robinson Memorial Building was given by Dr. W.G. Robinson and family, built between the church and parish house, on State Street. It is used by lower grade Sunday School classes and for nursery.
    In 1957 the church approved the merger of the Congregational-Christian Churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Orval Sampson (1954-66) a new constitution was adopted, including a name change to "The Congregational United Church of Christ."