First Visit

We cordially invite you to visit First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Canton, MA. Many of our newcomers have visited several congregations looking for a community, fellowship, and a place to explore their spirituality. We are proud to be a welcoming congregation. We’re glad you’re thinking of visiting us!

Let us keep in touch with you!

You can fill out a Visitor Card online and receive weekly emails and monthly newsletters. You can fill out the card from your computer and send the file as an attachment to .  Or you can fill out the card by hand or from your computer and mail it to First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 1508 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021.


Sunday worship

Our regularly scheduled Sunday services begin the Sunday after Labor Day and continue every Sunday through the second Sunday in June. Services begin at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary. Children and youth either attend the first part of the service before going to their religious education classrooms or stay for the entire intergenerational service. Services are led by our minister, a guest minister, a lay leader, or the youth.

Ushers will be at the door to welcome you, give you an order of service, and help you make out a name tag or find yours if you already have one. Large print orders of service and hearing assistive devices are available. You can also use the ramp entrance at the left side of the sanctuary. A greeter will meet you at the door or inside the sanctuary to welcome you and answer any questions you have.

Our services are about an hour in length, and typically include contemporary or classical piano and organ music, music sung by our choir, hymns, readings, and a sermon. Services can be quite varied, and we invite visitors to attend several to gain a fuller impression of the rich diversity of our faith community.


Fellowship hour

Following Sunday service and the religious education program, everyone is invited to attend fellowship hour (sometimes referred to as coffee hour) for conversation and food, and to get to know each other. On some Sundays around noon, there are small group meetings, informal discussion about the sermon topic, poetry discussions, an activity such as a walk in the cemetery, or even a request for volunteers to help with some small project. All these activities give us a chance to learn more about each other and hopefully to feel First Parish may become your spiritual home.


Dress

Dress at our services is informal. People often feel comfortable in business casual or more casual attire, including jeans or shorts. The goal is to be comfortable.


Location and directions

We are located at 1508 Washington Street in Canton, between Pleasant Street and the Washington Street/Randolph Street split and across the street from the Congregational Church.

Detailed directions and map


Parking and entrances

Parking is available around the circle and at the right of the sanctuary. Accessible parking is available in three spaces to the left of the ramp entrance and in one space to the right of the main entrance to the sanctuary. Overflow parking is on First Parish Road, directly across the street from the driveway entrance to First Parish.


Building floor plans, exits, and safety information

The floor plans will help you:

  • Find your way around our buildings
  • Locate the entrances and exits
  • Locate fire alarms, first aid kit, and defibrillator (AED)

Sanctuary and classroom floor plan

Parish Hall floor plan


More information and connection

Yellow visitor cards are located in the vestibule as you enter the sanctuary and in Parish Hall where we have Fellowship Hour. The information you provide on this card will enable us to send you information about First Parish activities, including email announcements and the weekly newsletter. We use the name(s) you provide on this card to prepare a name tag for you, typically for your next visit. Be sure to let us know the name you prefer to be called. Almost all of us will be wearing name tags during the service and fellowship hour, making it easier to get to know each other. The visitor card is also a good place to let us know if you would welcome a call from our minister or director of religious education to answer any questions you may have.

Contact information

We hope you can find a religious home here at First Parish Unitarian Universalist – Canton, where community is nurtured, your joys and concerns shared, and your need to serve others is fostered.