First Church Congregational dates to 1639 when the town of Fairfield was settled.

The church's current home at…More 148 Beach Road, across from Old Town Hall, was built in 1892 and is the sixth meeting house of the church to occupy that property. The current church building was built after the previous church building was destroyed, apparently by an arsonist, on the night before Memorial Day in 1890.</p> <p>The Rev. David W. Spollett, First Church's pastor, was among religious leaders in Fairfield to prompt former First Selectman Jacquelyn C. Durrell to establish Operation Hope, an agency on Nichols Street, next to the Fairfield Police Department, that helps the homeless in 1986.</p> <p>Church members recently have been involved in developing elderly housing, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Literacy Volunteers and Project Learn, a homework help program, interfaith trips to Israel, continuing a sister church relationship with Walters AME Zion Church in Bridgeport, Holocaust studies, refugee resettlement, affordable housing and service trips to Appalachia.</p> <p>First Church Congregational says its mission is to be mindful of the rich tradition of its Puritan heritage, aware of the need to move through the world as humble seekers after truth, and strong in its commitment to God's love and justice.</p>

The Office of Community & Economic Development develops and administers programs to stimulate and encourage…More economic development; revitalize and strengthen neighborhoods; facilitate and promote affordable housing; and preserve and enhance the overall well-being of the community.</p> <p>The office's economic development activities focus on business retention and expansion, business recruitment, and small business development. Its overarching mission is to create jobs and enhance the town's tax base through appropriate commercial development that preserves the town's historic character and quality of life.</p> <p>The office's community development activities are focused on encouraging homeownership, expanding economic opportunities, maintaining the town's stock of affordable housing, and responding to the needs of the town's low- and moderate-income populations.</p> <p>The office also administers Community Development Block Grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and it oversees the Downtown Employee Parking Program and streetscape and beautification projects in the central business district and other commercial corridors.</p> <p>The 2009-10 budget for the Office of Community & Economic Development is $188,275.</p> <p>The Office of Community & Economic Development is located on the second floor of Old Town Hall, 611 Old Post Road.</p>