Chinese Christian Church of New England

The Chinese Christian Church of New England was originally started in 1896 as a Chinese Mission of New England by the Winter Hill Baptist Church in Somerville and the City Mission Society of the United Church of Christ. The Chinese Mission started the Chinese Young Man Christian Association (YMCA), later known as the South-Cove YMCA, and did evangelistic work in Chinatown.

In 1946, Rev. Dr. Peter Yue-Fang Shih, former President of West China Union Theological Seminary, was invited to be minister and on October 6, 1946 the group was incorporated as the Chinese Christian Church of New England (CCCNE). CCCNE was incorporated as a non-denominational, evangelical, ecumenical, union congregation, with Jesus Christ as its head, reconciled to God and to each other through Him. The motto of the corporation was: “We agree to differ, but resolve to love, and unite to serve.” At that time five denominations co-operated in providing support for the new Church: the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

In the beginning the Church met at the YMCA building. After paying off the debt on the YMCA, The Rev. Shih raised enough to buy two adjoining buildings and after many years of hard work, the congregation purchased the remaining five buildings on the block and built small church building in Chinatown which was able to hold over 200 members. In 1948, Mrs. Shih started the first daycare center in Chinatown and the church was involved in doing social work especially teaching immigrants. The Rev. Shih helped over 1,000 Chinese to enter this country legally.

In the 1975, The Rev. David Shih, son of The Rev. Dr. Peter Shih and the congregation decided to move the church worship to its current address on 1835 Beacon Street in Brookline. Now CCCNE has slightly over one hundred regular members and close to thirty children and youth. Every Sunday we have worship service at 10:00 AM and adult Sunday school at 11:30 AM. Mandarin Chinese and English are used in worship. Located right next to the easily accessed Green line T stop, our church attracts many students, young professional families, and elderly people, and welcomes new comers every week. CCCNE is a tightly knitted community and has prayers meeting every Wednesday night and fellowships on Friday or Saturday evenings regularly.