First Visit

The emphasis here is on the plural, as in styles.

Some of us still wear our “Sunday best,” while others relish the opportunity to escape weekday formality and just keep it casual.

As with most things about our community, there is widespread acceptance of how others choose to express themselves. 

The same goes for the children; however, note that many of our classes involve crafts projects, and classes often take full advantage of our playground as weather permits.

First Parish is located just off the Needham town square at 23 Dedham Avenue (route 135).  There is ample 2-hour parking in the town lot off of Lincoln Street. (For longer-term parking, see Note on Parking below.)  Only the Lincoln Street doors are open on weekdays; the main doors to the church are open on fair-weather Sundays.  The building is fully handicap-accessible.

From the North: Take Route 128 (I-95) south to exit 19B (Highland Avenue Needham). Take Highland Avenue to Great Plain Avenue in Needham Center. Cross over Great Plain Ave. onto Dedham Ave., the church will be on your right. Parking is available on Lincoln St., the first right after the church.

From the South: Take Route 128 (I-95) north to exit 17 (Route 135). Take Route 135 to Lincoln Street (see map). Parking is off Lincoln Street.

From Boston and Cambridge: Take Route 9 west to Route 128 South. Follow directions above “from the North.”

Need additional information? Call 781-444-0823.

View Larger Map

The Lincoln Street lot has a 2-hour limit except for Saturday nights and all day Sunday.

There is additional parking in the lot behind 60 Dedham Ave. (across and down the street from First Parish). This lot is recommended if you are going to be in the building for more than two hours, especially during the day on Saturdays.

We ask that you not park in the driveway unless you have a handicap sticker. 

On Sunday mornings you can enter the church via either the Meetinghouse doors facing Dedham Avenue or the Lincoln Street door.

During the week and on many winter Sundays, the Meetinghouse doors are locked, so please use the Lincoln St. door.

First Parish in Needham makes every effort to be fully accessible to all. Both the Dedham Avenue and Lincoln Street doors are handicap-accessible. Other accommodations include:

• Parking: There is a handicapped parking space in our driveway and plentiful additional parking in the adjacent lot, which is just a short and level walk or roll from our door.
• Elevators: There is an elevator immediately inside the Lincoln Street entrance. There is a second elevator that serves the lower floor only by the back entrance. This elevator requires a key that must be obtained from the Parish office.
• Restrooms: A unisex, handicap-accessible restroom is available on the main floor. Additional handicap-accessible restrooms are available on the lower level. Child-size handicap-accessible facilities are available in several of the classrooms.
• Hearing: Small receivers with earphones are available as you come in the sanctuary. The Ushers can assist you with operations.
• Large-print hymnals are available in the sanctuary. See the Ushers.
• Braille Hymnals are also available in the sacntuary. Seee the Ushers.

Greeters usually welcome people at both the Lincoln Street and Dedham Avenue doors, and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If it’s your first visit to First Parish, we ask that you fill out a gold Visitor’s Card; among other things, filling out this card puts you on the mailing list for our newsletter, the Bell Notes.

Everyone wears a nametag, and the Greeters will have a supply of blanks for you to use.

By all means, please join us. Social Hour is a long and honored tradition among UU congregations and we are no exception.

Newcomers are encouraged to take a red mug which serves as a signal to us that you are new and may not have anyone to talk to or may have questions. The Minister is usually there and is especially interested in welcoming newcomers.

Your children are also welcome and will find plenty of energetic company to keep them amused, as well as a mix of healthy and fun snacks.

And if you become an active member of our community, you’ll quickly realize that the conversations at Social Hour are a critical part of what keeps First Parish running.

Fill out a yellow visitor card providing us with your email address and we will add you to the mailing list for our weekly Bell Notes email. 

Alternatively, check the home page and schedule of events on this web site.

Yes, once you have filled out a yellow visitor card, we enter you into our database and send an email inviting you to register.

If you register, you’ll have access to the database and can see everyone’s contact information and, if you wish, print a photo directory.

Our current COVID protocols

After the service, families are invited to join the congregation for social hour in the Parish Hall.

You’ll have an opportunity to meet other families and to learn more about our RE program and church.

If you have a child 6 or under, please sign them out from their classroom before joining Social Hour.

Yes. In fact, we have two – a Junior Youth Group that meets on Sunday mornings at the same time as children’s RE, and a Senior Youth Group that meets most Sunday evenings.  

For more information visit our Youth Groups page.