Partnership Organizations

First Parish Preschool

The Preschool was founded in 1949 as a kindergarten by the forward-thinking women of the First Parish Alliance, who recognized the importance of quality early childhood education. When the town of Norwell added kindergarten to its public school program, the Preschool became a nursery school for 4-year-olds. As classes were added for younger children, the name was changed to First Parish Preschool. 

Today, the Preschool is still operated under the sponsorship of the Alliance. The Executive Committee of the Preschool consists of four members, two of whom are also members of the Alliance.

The Preschool now offers four unique programs that meet on weekdays during the school year. The school has a director with a staff of fifteen and an enrollment of at least 110. On Sundays, the church school religious education program utilizes the shared space in the Parish Hall.

The James Library and Center for the Arts

The James, owned by First Parish and only two doors away from the church, is housed in an historic Italianate building in Norwell Center. Open to the public for use by anyone in the wider community, the free lending library for adults and children offers a current collection of popular fiction and non-fiction, classics, and collections focused on local history, art, music, and gardening. As a community arts center, the James offers concerts, music lessons, art exhibits, meeting spaces, and a range of cultural events to the entire South Shore community.

The nine James' Board members are chosen annually by the Parish. They receive and expend fund income from the church, but have a separate budget, and raise funds independently. The James' Board provides an annual financial report and a report of their activities to the Parish. The James' Board of Directors usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the library and members of the Parish are welcome to attend.