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ABOUT FIRST PARISH COHASSET
Come as you are, be as you are
We’re neighbors and friends sharing life’s highs and lows. First Parish Cohasset is a down-to-earth community for honest questions, real talk, and practical kindness.
This is where together feels better
We gather Sundays (and throughout the week) to swap stories, serve together, and support each other when life gets complicated. Whatever your background or beliefs, there’s a place for you here, where your voice matters and your next step is celebrated.
Our mission
We welcome all to our inclusive spiritual community. We affirm our Unitarian Universalist Principles and put them into action by worshiping together, caring for one another, and working for a safe, just, and sustainable world.
Our vision
We dream of a place where everyone is welcome, differences are embraced, and love is always at the center - a community where kindness flows freely, connection is genuine, and every voice is heard.
What we stand for
What is Unitarian Universalism?
Rooted in a commitment to justice, love, and inclusion, Unitarian Universalism invites people of all beliefs to come together in community. We value the freedom to explore, the courage to question, and the power of collective action to make a difference.
Rooted in love
Our shared beliefs
Unitarian Universalism isn’t defined by a single set of beliefs, it’s rooted in values that guide how we live, relate, and grow together. These shared principles shape our commitments, our communities, and the way we show up in the world. They call us into deeper connection with one another, with the Earth, and with the work of justice and healing.
INTERDEpendent
We honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it.
PLURALISM
We are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
JUSTICE
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive.
TRANSFORMATION
We always lead with the goal to adapt to the changing world.
GENEROSITY
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
EQUITY
We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
Meet our staff & board
Minister
Dan Harper
Director of Religious Education
Dr. Kate Sullivan
Congregational Administrator
Patty Mycroft
Music Director
Mary Beth Courtright
A living history
Rooted in Community
The story of First Parish Cohasset is deeply woven into the history of the town itself. Established in 1721 when Cohasset was still a precinct of Hingham, our congregation began with the construction of a Meeting House to serve those who could no longer make the long journey to worship in Hingham.
Our history
Our current Meeting House, built in 1747 on Cohasset Common, has served as a religious home, civic center, and gathering space for over 275 years. In 1824, theological differences led to the formation of a separate Trinitarian congregation just steps away. As religious thought evolved in New England, our congregation aligned with the Unitarian tradition during the early 19th century, embracing freedom of belief and a commitment to reason and justice.
Built in 1747 on the site of a 1714 meeting house, our sanctuary has anchored Cohasset Common as a place where neighbors gather for worship and community.
When Cohasset became its own town in 1770, our meeting house doubled as both town hall and church. In 1825, we joined the American Unitarian Association, embracing a faith of reason, compassion, and open hearts.
In 1842, 26-year-old Joseph Osgood arrived and stayed 56 years—founding local schools, preaching abolition, and cementing our commitment to social justice.
Our white-steepled meeting house starred in The Witches of Eastwick (1986) and has since appeared in films like HouseSitter and The Finest Hours, showcasing our New England charm.
In 1978, the old carriage barn became Carriage House Nursery School, welcoming generations of children and expanding our community care.
Nearly three centuries on, First Parish Cohasset blends worship, service, and learning. Every gathering adds a new chapter—join us in writing what comes next.