About Us

Who Are We?

Federated Church. What kind of name is that? It sounds more like a bank or credit union doesn’t it? In fact, it is the name of an unusual, imaginative and compassionate congregation rooted in both the history of this community and two of the country’s oldest denominations.

In the Gold Rush Era it was difficult for congregations here on the West coast to persuade pastors to leave the more settled churches of Boston, New York and Philadelphia; too many guns and gangsters here in “Old Hangtown”! At the beginning of the era the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations in Placerville had the same problems; small congregations, buildings in need of repair, no money and are rapid turnover in pastoral leadership. Both congregations faced extinction! Their response to this possible calamity was to become a “Federated” congregation; one community, in the same buildings worshiping together with both Presbyterian and Methodist members. Federated Church was established in this way in the 1920’s and now draws members from Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Roman Catholic and Evangelical backgrounds as well as folks completely new to the Christian faith and the life of the church.

We now live in this community called to articulate a perspective on the Christian faith that might be described as progressive orthodoxy. We believe we are to be shaped by servant-hood, inclusivity, peace-making and simplicity while being rooted in the joy of Christ’s resurrection. We worship together at 9:15 and 11:00 am every Sunday. We would be delighted to see you.