visiting first church

We are so excited you're thinking about visiting our church, and we can't wait to meet you. We are a friendly church, and we always keep an eye out for new faces. 


We want you to feel at home in our church. When you walk in the door on a Sunday morning, a member of our Greeter Team will be ready to welcome you and answer your questions.


What to expect when you visit


To help you plan your visit to our church, here's a few things we thought you might want to know. 


When is worship?

We worship every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. 


What is a typical worship service like? 

While no two Sundays are exactly alike, here are some things you can count on about worship at First Church. The Word of God centers our worship services. We seek his revelation! We blend contemporary and traditional songs led by our Praise Team. Our services typically are between 60 and 90 minutes long, after which we head downstairs (or outside in the summer!) to enjoy coffee, punch, and fellowship.


Where is First Church located?

We are located at 651 Martin Luther King Jr ST SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Get directions to First Church.


Where do I park?

We have set aside visitor parking at our main entrance. Seniors and those who require accessible parking will also find designated spots reserved for them. Our parking lot fills quickly, so additional parking can be found on the west side of the church by Bates Place Neighbors. Street parking is also available.


What should I wear to worship?

You're welcome to dress up, but jeans are just fine, too. In fact, we'll welcome you whether you're in a three-piece suit or a tracksuit. So just wear what you feel comfortable worshiping in.  


Can my kids come?

Absolutely! Our church welcomes all ages. Babies and toddlers receive care during the service in our nursery. Our Little Lambs program for children who are three and four years old also runs the entire service. All older children join us in worship at the beginning of the service. After the Children's Message, children in second grade or younger go to Children's Worship. We have strong safe church policies in place to keep your children safe while they are at church. All children's program volunteers are required to complete safe church training. Learn more about ministry for children at First.


What beliefs does First Church hold?

We believe God created the world. We believe Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead. And though we are imperfect and broken, we believe the Holy Spirit works through us to redeem and restore the world. Learn more about our beliefs.  


If you have other questions for us, we're all ears. Email your questions to office@firstcrc.org, and we'll be in touch soon.