The New Englanders who settled Zumbrota in the mid-1800s brought with them not only the energy for western emigration, but also a zeal to establish the religious traditions here that they had known in and around Lowell, Massachusetts. On June 28, 1857, 50 people attended a meeting to formally organize the church.

A hall on the second floor of a store in downtown Zumbrota was used for the first church service on Thanksgiving Day of 1857. By 1860, the members began to seriously consider building a church, but because of the poor harvests in 1857-59, people had little cash. So, one of the members was authorized to go back to Massachusetts to ask for donations and collected $1,000, which made it possible to begin construction in the fall of 1861.

The lumber was purchased in Red Wing and hauled to the site by teams of oxen because railroads had not yet come to Zumbrota. One member had a stone quarry on his farm northwest of the town; this provided stone for the foundation. The first service in the new sanctuary was held in 1862. A bell, donated by the Ladies’ Society at a cost of $640, was hung in the belfry in 1868. The bell weighs 1,202 pounds and is still in use. It also was used as the school bell and fire bell for many years. The current organ was purchased from the Winona Congregational Church in 1885 for $700. The organ was built in 1867 by the Steere and Turner Company and is believed to be the oldest pipe organ in Minnesota in regular use.

In 1957, the Congregational Church became part of the United Church of Christ. In 1968, it was yoked with the Presbyterian Church of Oronoco, and this yoke remained in effect until 2017, a 50-year witness to the UCC’s commitment to ecumenism. The church building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Today’s members strive to blend the building’s historic character with the church’s mission “to listen to the still speaking voice of God, to welcome all, to love our neighbor, to serve those in need, to live in faith, to accept grace, and in all things to give God the glory.” The church affirms ecumenical activity that fosters peacemaking and enrichment for all. It proclaims its commitment to the ministry of Jesus Christ for and with all persons without regard to race, gender, age, ability, economic status or sexual orientation. The congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming church in 2009.

The Peace Pole located near the church was created for the church’s sesquicentennial in 2007. Each square of iron was carved by a member, then cast as part of the Zumbrota Area Arts Council’s Iron Pour, which coincided with the anniversary celebration. In 2016, a labyrinth and bench were constructed on the church lawn. A lift was installed in 2012 to improve handicap accessibility as part of a continuing commitment to be an Open and Affirming congregation.