by: Ann Nelson
First Nighters is a women’s fellowship group that was founded in 1947 by a group
of working women who were unable to attend meetings of the organized First
Congregational Church’s Women’s Fellowship. They were all working downtown
and met at a restaurant. A 1961 report stated they were each paying $1.25 for
dinner and donating 25 cents to a “kitty.” As these women retired they continued
to gather for pot-luck dinners in their homes and gained new younger members.
To accommodate the younger members they moved to the parlor of the church
and provided a babysitter for children (Jennifer Bliss was one of those
babysitters).
When Women’s Fellowship was discontinued in 2016 the First Nighters continued
to meet. To avoid night time driving, this small group now meets on the second
Monday of each month at 1:00 in the church parlor to enjoy each other and share
a pot-luck lunch. They continue the practice started by the original members of
making a small donation at each meeting to build their treasury for contributing
within the church or the community.
Visitors and/or new members are always welcome.