The origins of South Congregational Church start in 1874 when women from the Park Avenue Congregational Church organized a Sunday School. This would eventually lead to a "Mr. Gilbert" donating land for construction of a chapel. The new chapel was located between Sheldon and Jefferson on Delaware Street and finished in 1876. The South Congregational Church was officially organized on December 12, 1878 with 43 charter members. The group was accepted into the Grand River Conference the following year. Also in 1879, the minister Rev. Sarjent oversaw the expansion of the building due to growth of membership. The building was moved in 1886 to the cordner of Delaware and Sheldon, accompanied by additional expansion. Four separate ministers took the pulpit in the 1890s including Rev. Frederick York in 1896. The following year, the church suffered a fire which nearly destroyed everything. Funds were raised to not only repair but expand as the membership had seen continual growth.

Multiple ministers would take over during the early 1900s with the longest tenured being Rev. Charles Grieshaber who served from 1909-1926. The church was hit by a fire again, this time during building repairs in 1936. When Rev. Earl Collins took over in 1941, he oversaw another large increase in membership. This increase led the community to seek a new home in the growing south part of the city. The church moved to the corner of Madison and Alger and included a social hall, offices and classrooms. At this time, the number of people in the Sunday School was nearly 800. The church would continue at this new location with numerous other pastors until a tornado struck on April 21, 1967. A building fund was launched shortly after and a brand new Sanctuary was dedicated two years later in February 1969. The church mortgage was completely paid off in 1970. At this time, the church was still fully committed to education, having around 450 students.

The church membership began to decline and financial resources became stretched. The community decided to close in 2001 and held its final service on September 9th. At the final dedication, the church noted all the different ways they would provide resources after disbanding. This included selling the building to the New Covenant Life Ministries, while donating other items to Remember, Burton Heights Elementary School, and to the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Proceeds of the sale were given to the Pilgrim Manor Foundation, United Church Outreach Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, and finally a trust given to the Michigan Conference UCC for a Southside Grand Rapids New Church Start.

Rev. Mr. Brown

1876

Rev. Eugene C. Olney

1877-1879

Rev. Benjamin F. Sargent

1880-1889

Dr. Franklin Noble

1889-1891

Rev. James E. Smith

1891-1894

Rev. Gainor P. Moore

1894-1896

Rev. Frederick E. York

1896-1904

Rev. John Gordon

1904-1908

Rev. Charles O. Grieshaber

1909-1926

Rev. William A. Minty

1926-1931

Rev. Harold M. Skidmore

1931-1941

Rev. Earl F. Collins

1941-1951

Rev. Charles W. Scheid

1951-1966

Rev. W. R. Catton (Interim)

1966

Rev. Richard L. Ford

1966-1976

R. H. McConnell (Interim)

1977

Rev. Philip E. Reikow

1977-1989

Rev. Ronald C. Skidmore

1989-1998

Rev. H. A. Martling (Interim)

1998-1999

Rev. Dr. Virginia H. Child

1999-2001