The First Congregational Church was founded in 1680 at the same time the town itself was established. In 1785, Reverend Henry Wight, the pastor at First Congregational, started what is now known as the Bristol 4^th of July Parade, the oldest 4^th of July celebration in the USA. The Church itself is an impressive structure sitting proudly at the corner of High Street between Bradford and Congregational Streets. Under the leadership of Rev. Daniel Barron Randall, the church has been very active in the community. It provides a number of services such as a Christian education and Sunday school program, the Little Friends Preschool, the East Bay Food Pantry and Stone Soup Thrift Shop as well as hosting folk and bluegrass concerts in the church coffeehouse.