222 West Main Street - Waterbury, CT. 06702 - (203) 757-0331

First Congregational Church of Waterbury has, since 1691, played a guiding role in the religious and civic life in Waterbury.  It has a long history of initiating and supporting projects and programs which enhance human welfare and social reform.  These efforts have emerged under the leadership of members of this Church who believe that at the heart of their faith is the public expression of Christian principles in addressing human need.

In 1985 the late Lucy Edwina Schlegel willed a substantial bequest to the First Church. A significant portion of this bequest has been reserved to generate income for distribution to a wide variety of human needs primarily in the Greater Waterbury area and, in certain cases, beyond.  The Schlegel Committee, comprised of a broad representation of First Church members, meets regularly to review requests for funds and to determine the appropriate recipients of grants and loans which are congruent with the Fund's philosophy and its current objectives as determined by members of the congregation.

Inquiries and requests for funds are invited from religious organizations, human service agencies, and associations which hope to alleviate human suffering and achieve social justice by addressing the causes of human impoverishment.

The Purpose of the Schlegel Fund is to address human needs in the Greater Waterbury area through the disbursement of grants or loans to non-profit organizations seeking to re-mediate the root causes of impoverishment and to empower individuals to achieve self-determination.

We, the members of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury CT, through the application of the Schlegel Fund, affirm our covenant with God and each other to do His Will by discerning needs through prayer and study.  We shall respond through Christian servant hood, nurture and education, and with the vision and goal of working for the quality of life which God intends for human society.  It is our belief, by so doing, we will be strengthening His Church and our faith by displaying, through living application, this all embracing nature of Christ's love.