FCC: Rooted in Ramona For 128 Years

First Congregational Church of Ramona is deeply blessed to be part of an extraordinary community. There is something genuinely special about Ramona—something that is not easily reduced to description, but is unmistakably felt in the rhythms of daily life, in the generosity of its people, and in the way neighbors show up for one another.

We are continually filled with gratitude to live and serve in a place shaped by such warmth, creativity, and care. Ramona is a community rich in multi-cultural expression and everyday beauty. It is a place where you can just as easily witness children dancing Baile Folklórico as run into some horses outside a local coffee shop. It is a place where live music spills into the evening air, where local businesses know their customers by name, and where people take the time to stop, talk, and connect.

What makes Ramona especially meaningful to us is its spirit. There is a deep sense here that people are invested in the well-being of one another—that this is a place where community is not just an idea, but a lived reality. We see it in the many churches that seek, each in their own way, to serve and bless their neighbors. We see it in the volunteers who give their time, the families who support one another, and the countless quiet acts of kindness that often go unnoticed.

We do not take for granted the gift it is to be here.

This year, we celebrated our 128th anniversary as a congregation… and, if I may say, we look pretty good for 128!

On April 26th, 1898 we were welcomed officially as a Congregational Church (later to become the United Church of Christ). We remain committed to living a life of love and being an active and faithful presence within this community that has given us so much.

Our ministries are one way we seek to participate in the life of Ramona. Through sacred music and the arts, we celebrate beauty and creativity. Through food distribution and shared meals, we seek to extend care and hospitality. Through the ecumenical Ramona Youth Collaborative, we join with other churches in nurturing the faith and lives of young people. Through the Congregational Children’s Center, we support families with high-quality preschool and childcare. Through our Children’s Choir and small groups, we cultivate spaces of joy, connection, and belonging. And through so much more, we continue to discover new ways to serve alongside our neighbors.

We are also a WISE Congregation, committed to welcoming, including, supporting, and engaging the lives of people with mental health experiences. This commitment reflects not only who we strive to be as a church, but also the kind of community we believe Ramona is becoming—one that makes room for honesty, compassion, deeper understanding, and for everyone.

At the end of the day, we are simply grateful—grateful for this church, and grateful for this town. It is a gift to belong to a community like Ramona, and it is a joy to participate in its life.