Three Traditions Under One Roof
Newmarket Community Church has its roots in three Protestant denominations. The United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the American Baptist Church together shaped what is now one of two active congregations in the small New Hampshire town of Newmarket, and the only Protestant one. From those combined roots NCC has grown into a progressive, inclusive, affirming community that centers on the teachings of Jesus and what the church calls the good news.
Members and non-members are welcomed into every part of church life, regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, theological perspective, or denominational background. The congregation is open and affirming of the LGBTQIA+ community and has published Love Notes, written by members of the community to trans friends, family, and neighbors as messages of care, solidarity, and affirmation.
NCC is designated a Recovery Friendly Workplace by the New Hampshire Governor's Office and recognized as a Mental Health Friendly Place by the Dover Mental Health Alliance. Senior Pastor Patty Marsden has served NCC since 2014, when she was ordained by the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. A graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, she completed 400 hours of clinical pastoral education at Mercy Hospital and Portsmouth Regional Hospital. She is a founding member of the Newmarket Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, co-leader of Newmarket Cares Day, a past board member of the Newmarket Business Association, a former chaplain to Scouting Troop 200, and was named Newmarket's Community Leader of the Year in 2018. She currently serves on the board of NAMI New Hampshire and the Highs and Lows Tour for mental health awareness.
An 1828 Building, a Steeple Clock, and Stained Glass
The church stands at 137 Main Street, the prominent downtown landmark it has occupied since 1828, when it was established as the First Congregational Church with the Reverend David Sanford as its first pastor. At its founding the building had neither steeple nor vestry, but 400 citizens called it home. The steeple was added in 1840, and in 1855 the building was raised to add the Fellowship Hall underneath and to install the organ in the larger sanctuary above. The steeple still houses the town clock, which chimes every hour, and the building, the steeple, and the clock together remain an integral part of Newmarket's identity.
On December 16, 1928, a vesper service marked the hundredth anniversary of the Methodist and Congregational congregations in Lamprey River Village with the renovation of the sanctuary and the installation of a complete set of cathedral-glass windows. Most were given as memorials and were purchased from the Shaw-Thompson Company of Portland, Maine for $2,180. The renovation was set in motion by a $1,200 gift from the Ladies' Aid to the Executive Committee. The Gothic-arch casings hold symbols drawn from scripture and early Christian story, and each window has its own name and donor.
The Cross and Crown, the Anchor of Hope, the Bible and Candle, the Lilies, the Phoenix, the Vine, the Bull, the Lamb and Book of Seven Seals, the Pelican, the Eagle, the Lion, the Angel, the Rose of Sharon, the Crown, the Lamp, and the Chalice fill the sanctuary with color and meaning. Visitors are welcome to come by and take in the windows from inside the peaceful and serene sanctuary. The deeper history of the church and the mystery of the steeple tower are documented on the Newmarket Historical Society's pages.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Sunday worship gathers at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at 137 Main Street and is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel and Facebook page. Services are described as thoughtful, welcoming, and rooted in community. Music is blended, drawing on different styles to complement passages of scripture, with the choir and music director often guiding the flow. The order of worship sometimes follows the revised common lectionary and sometimes follows a themed sermon series, but the message is always based in scripture.
Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Special services are held throughout the year for holidays and other occasions and can be found on the church's events calendar. The dress code is come as you are. Visitors can expect to see everything from jeans and sweaters to business casual, with no expectation of formality. The Sunday program, including the readings and message title for the week, is posted online in advance.
Children, Youth, and Families
NCC strives to equip children and teens to navigate the world through an experience of Jesus' message of love, both within the church and through serving the community alongside the church. Every Sunday includes dedicated children's programming for kids age three and up, and all children are welcome to remain in worship with their families if parents prefer. The sounds of all ages in the sanctuary are welcomed as a joyful noise.
For parents who need a quieter moment with a baby, a comfortable lounge behind the sanctuary is open during services. The lounge is reached by walking up the left side of the sanctuary, taking a right into the hall, and going through the third door on the left. Parents can watch the livestream from there if they need to step out.
Confirmation classes are offered annually for youth in grades seven through twelve. Youth in seventh grade or older who have not been confirmed are invited to speak with Pastor Patty about joining the next class.
The church also leads mission trips for all ages each year, usually offering one national and one international experience. The international trips, led by Pastor Patty, Allie Marsden, and Kasey Cedergren, have been to Guatemala for eight to ten days with Project Salud y Paz, working on health and education initiatives in rural communities. Pastor Patty is a member of the Board of Directors of International Hands in Service. National trips in past years have included South Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Houston, Texas.
The Food Pantry
The NCC Food Pantry is a major part of the church's identity and a fixture in the broader community. Open every Thursday from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., the pantry provides fresh and non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and home cleaning basics free of charge to Newmarket and Newfields residents who are short on food. Shoppers enter through the Fellowship Hall door on the Water Street side of the church at 137 Main Street.
The pantry is staffed and stocked by community volunteers. Each week, shoppers find dairy, eggs, fresh produce, bread, meat, non-perishable items, and household essentials. Every dollar donated to the pantry buys roughly two meals' worth of food through the NH Food Bank. Food donations are accepted at the church and at drop boxes at the NCC Thrift Shop on North Main Street, the Newmarket Public Library, the Newmarket Rec Center, the Chinburg Mill Building, and Shaw's Supermarket in Stratham. An Amazon Wishlist also ships items directly to the pantry.
New shoppers fill out a short form before their first visit. For those without transportation, an online pre-order form opens Sunday evening and closes Wednesday at noon. A volunteer team packs the order and it is ready for pickup on Thursday. Delivery is available for neighbors who qualify through a separate application form. Food Pantry Coordinator Sianna Niedzolkowski oversees the program, with support from a regular rotation of volunteers.
The Thrift Shop on North Main
Just down the street, the NCC Thrift Shop at 10 North Main Street is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Winter hours may vary with the weather. The shop sells gently used housewares, clothing, shoes, and toys, and donations of the same are accepted during open hours.
Run by volunteers under Thrift Shop Coordinator Deb Grochmal, the thrift shop also offers a chance to learn basic job skills for those preparing to enter the workforce. Anyone in the community is welcome to volunteer, and proceeds support the church's wider mission. The thrift shop can be reached at 603-659-0607.
The Garden of Eatin'
Across the street from the thrift shop, the Garden of Eatin' grows vegetables specifically for the food pantry. Two gardens are in production: one next to the thrift shop on North Main Street and another at a private residence on Packers Falls Road.
The garden began in 2018 from a vision shared by church staff member Katelyn Clough and church member Bob Selfe, who were inspired by the joy a single fresh banana brought a pantry shopper. The Main Street garden was renovated and expanded in 2025 through an Eagle Scout project led by Elijah Fuller of Scouting Troop 200, with funding from scout-led fundraising and a Seacoast Public Health Network grant.
The garden season runs from May through October. Volunteer hours shift with the weather, and tasks include planting, weeding, pruning, pest control, staking, and harvesting. No experience is needed. Anyone interested in joining the weekly email list for garden updates can sign up through the volunteer form.
Recovery and Mental Health
NCC has built a strong identity around recovery support, in keeping with its Recovery Friendly Workplace designation. Three weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are hosted in the Fellowship Hall, with attendees entering through the Water Street entry. A general AA meeting meets Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., a Men's AA meeting meets Sundays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a Sober Saturday meeting is held Saturdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Pastor Patty has spoken publicly about her commitment to helping NCC become a Recovery Friendly and Mental Health Friendly house of worship, work that reflects the church's wider commitment to inclusion, compassion, and wholeness. NCC serves on the board of NAMI New Hampshire and the Highs and Lows Tour for mental health awareness.
Scripture Chat and the Ukulele Strum Circle
On Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m., Scripture Chat and Connection gathers in the Pastor's Study at 137 Main Street and online via Google Meet for an open exploration of the upcoming Sunday's text. No prior Bible knowledge is needed, and no homework is assigned. The group reads the passage from different translations and shares reflections.
On alternating Mondays at 10:00 a.m., the Ukulele Strum Circle meets with Music Director Dave Talmage for an hour of practice and laughter. No experience is required; participants can bring a ukulele or just their voice and enthusiasm.
Weddings, Community Dinners, and Facility Use
The sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and three smaller meeting rooms at 137 Main Street are available for weddings, community events, and other gatherings. Weddings at NCC are open to anyone, member or not, of any gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and for first marriages or remarriages. Pastor Patty is available to officiate, with three pre-wedding planning meetings and a rehearsal included. Floral arrangements are coordinated through Flora Ventures in Newmarket, owned by Pat Cowhig.
Community Dinners are held on Saturdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and are free for everyone, with donations accepted to support future meals. No reservations are required. The dinner brings neighbors together around a shared table, and volunteer sign-ups are available for anyone who would like to help.
The Music Program
Music Director Dave Talmage and Choir Director Seth Waters lead the music ministry at NCC. The Sunday service features a blend of musical styles that complement scripture readings, and the choir adds its voice to worship regularly. The Ukulele Strum Circle offers a more casual space for anyone who would like to make music together, regardless of skill level.
Giving and the Excellence in Community Service Scholarship
Giving is supported through online donations via Vanco, PayPal, and Venmo, with three funds to direct gifts: the General Fund, the Emergency Assistance Fund, and the Food Pantry Fund. Checks can be mailed to 137 Main Street.
The Excellence in Community Service Scholarship, valued at up to $1,000, is awarded each year at Newmarket High School's Senior Awards Ceremony to a graduating senior who has been accepted to a two- or four-year advanced degree program, has a passion for serving others, and is moving toward a field of study or career in service, healthcare, or education. Applications include a letter of recommendation, proof of college acceptance, and a resume of community service experiences.
Getting Connected
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Visitors can park along the church side of Water Street, in the small lot at the end of Water Street, in the small driveway on the left side of the church, on Main Street, or at the vacant brick building across the street. On Sundays, additional parking is available at the Post Office and behind the American Legion Club, though the Legion spots must be vacated by noon. During snowy weather, parking is not permitted at the Post Office or the vacant brick building across the street, and vehicles parked in those locations will be towed.
Anyone interested in volunteering for any of NCC's community service projects can fill out the volunteer form online or pick up a paper form at the church. A newsletter sign-up is also available for those who want to keep up with what's happening at NCC. The church is at 137 Main Street in Newmarket, and the door is open.