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The Nashua Area Interfaith Council first known as the Nashua Council of Churches grew out of a tradition of Community Lenten Services held at First Church in the 1940s. One of the speakers of that day was a young minister named Norman Vincent Peale. Out of that experience, the Minister's Association felt a need to encourage the development of a broader diversity of joint activities involving laity. The first project undertaken was the formation of a pastoral counseling center at First Baptist Church in the early 1950s. Since then the Interfaith Council has been instrumental in starting Hospice Care, the Nashua Soup Kitchen, a chaplaincy at Southern New Hampshire Regional Medical Center as well as being an advocate for social awareness and community services. In 1992 the Council changed its name to Nashua Interfaith Council to reflect its intent to be more inclusive in character. Initial meetings of the council were held evenings during the 1950's and 60's with strong support by church members. Over time, the Council became more ecumenical minded. Breakfast meetings began in the early 1970s, first at Howard Johnson's, then at the Salvation Army, and then on a revolving basis among member organizations.
Our Logo: The Tree of Life was chosen for the logo of the Interfaith Council because it is found in all the world's religions. The canopy of the tree reflects the breadth of our diversity. The branches of the tree reflect our growing together, while the trunk symbolizes unity in God, our common source. |