Welcome!

Whoever you are in your journey of life, wherever you are in your journey of faith, you are welcome at Melrose Highlands! Maybe you're thinking of visiting our church--and we hope you will--but first you may have some questions. We have some answers!

What will I find? Going anywhere new for the first time can be a little unsettling.  Probably even more so when the new place is a church.  You will find people who are new to the neighborhood and new to the church, as well as people who have been in Melrose for their whole lives. You will find people who are confident in calling themselves "Christian," and people who are more on the fence about what that means. You will find people who love to sing, love to pray, love to host coffee hour, and love to volunteer. You will find children and families, single people and couples, empty nesters and retirees and high schoolers. At this church there’s a place for everyone. There’s a place for you.

Is there a place to park?  MHCC is at 355 Franklin Street in Melrose, at the corner of Ashland Street. Parking is permitted on both Franklin and Ashland Streets, and there is a small parking lot directly across the street from the church.  If you’re using public transportation, we are a couple of blocks from the Melrose Highlands station on the commuter rail line and less than half a mile from the bus stop at Main and Franklin Streets.  

Handicap access?  Our ADA-compliant ramp is located on the West Highland Avenue entrance of the church (between Ashland Street and Chipman Avenue). The sanctuary, fellowship hall, kitchen, parlor and restroom are all accessible. We also have hearing assistive devices for those who need extra help hearing the service.

Map:

​When is your service and what will it be like?  We gather on Sundays at 10 a.m., both in person and online.  Many of our people come right at 10:00am, but you are welcome to arrive early. When you first walk through the door, you’ll be greeted warmly by a church member, and when you enter the sanctuary, an usher will hand you a bulletin. The bulletin describes the order of the service, says who’s participating, and lists upcoming events in the church community. The hour-long service is at times reverent, funny, meditative, and boisterous. We don't take ourselves too seriously, allowing the Spirit to move and mistakes to be made.  Our worship hour isn’t highly ritualized.
On the first Sunday of each month, we celebrate the sacrament of communion.  Everyone is welcome at our communion table who wants to come. Since COVID, we have pieces of bread on toothpicks and individual small cups of grape juice that we take back to our seats to partake in together.
Music is an essential part of worship at MHCC and includes our Adult and Children’s Choirs, as well as Praise Band and other musical offerings on special Sundays.

What do people wear?  Pretty much whatever they choose! Some are dressed to the nines; others are in casual-Friday dress.  The focus at this church isn’t on your wardrobe.

What about Sunday School? Childcare?  Our Sunday School provides for kids from kindergarten through middle school, and engages them using all their senses, and happens each Sunday except Communion Sundays (first Sunday of the month). Kids stay in service through the children's message, and then go to Sunday school, rejoining their families at coffee hour. Unfortunately, we do not have childcare at this time for babies and infants. Fussy babies are VERY welcome in the sanctuary at all times, and we also have a church parlor (think living room) where the service is broadcast over speakers if your little one needs some extra space.

Anything else I should know for my first visit?  Yes, you have an invitation to stay after the service and join us for coffee or tea; a cookie or two; and the chance to meet some people who will be very glad to meet you.  We call it Fellowship Hour.

We know what you might be thinking –I’m a complete stranger and I’m supposed to willingly enter a room full of people who already know each other, are chatting happily and are clearly enjoying each other’s company?  Yes, because we promise that within minutes you’ll be one of them. We have a Hospitality Team dedicated to making that happen, and they do. Trust us on this one!