Welcome to the Hills Church!
We know that venturing out to a new church for the first time can be a challenge. With this "visitor's kit" we have tried to identify and answer most of the questions that first time visitors might have. If this doesn't answer all your questions, please call our church office at 781-235-4424. We are eager to welcome you and make your first visit with us a rewarding and comfortable one!
Where is the Hills Church?
Our church is located at 207 Washington Street in Wellesley, Massachusetts, in the Wellesley Hills area. For worship, please enter our main entrance located on Washington Street. And, for church business, please enter from the east entrance (the right side of the building when viewing the grounds from Washington Street). Please click here for directions and map.
What time are the services?
Sundays:
Services start at 10:00 a.m. Easter and Christmas have special worship schedule; so please check our website. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month. During August, Hills Church parishioners gather with the members of Christ Church United Methodist, St. Andrew's Church and Wellesley Congregational Village Church for joint worship services. Check our website in June when that schedule is normally set and posted.
How long do services last?
Services vary in length from one hour to an hour and 15 minutes, depending on whether communion is served and whether there are special events during the service such as baptisms or special music.
What time should I plan to arrive?
If you are joining us with children for church school, plan to arrive at 9:45 a.m. If you are coming to attend for worship only, plan to arrive about 10 minutes before the service starts in order to have time to find a seat and get settled.
Where should I park?
The Hills Church parking lot is just west of the church on the left side of the building (when viewing the grounds from Washington Street). Parking is also available on Sundays in the Wellesley Community Center parking lot adjacent to ours.
How do I get around inside the church?
We encourage first-time guests to enter the Sanctuary from the main entrance on Washington Street. For church business, we ask that visitors use the east entrance (on the right side of the building when viewing the grounds from Washington Street), and, after entering, climb the stairs to the second floor, our main level, where you will find our reception area, the Church Administrator's office, Communications Coordinator's office, and the clergy offices.
Our church is comprised of three floors and houses the Wellesley Nursery School in the Hills. The basement level includes the Nursery School, the Assembly Room (a large gathering place), and the Wellesley Food Pantry, in addition to other meeting spaces. The main floor (our second floor) contains the clergy and staff offices, the Crib Room, the Sanctuary and our Reception Room, a formal space used for meetings, memorial teas, and various church functions. The third floor is reached by the stairwell at the east entrance and includes church school classrooms for grades 1 through 8.
Click on the image to the right to view a floorplan of the Hills Church. 
The Hills Church is fully accessible to the physically challenged. Ramps are located at the west entrance to the church. Once inside, an elevator can be used to ascend to all building levels. For Sunday services, we recommend using the north narthex around the back of the church.
For the hearing impaired, we are happy to provide individual amplifiers for use during services.
What about Sunday school for my children?
The Hills Church believes that children are our greatest gift, and we strive to create an environment where they can experience the love of God through community, learning, play and worship. We are dedicated to providing a safe, accepting environment where children feel loved and valued. We offer a variety of programs and activities that honor each childís interests and developmental level. We strive to partner with parents in their children's formation of faith.
The Church School year is coordinated with the school calendar. So, we begin with Rally Day (a Church School Kick-Off of sorts) in September. We conclude with a Children's Sunday in the beginning of June, when children's accomplishments during the Church's school year are celebrated, and teachers are recognized.
The Hills Church offers childcare during 10:00 a.m. service each Sunday. Parents can bring their children to their classrooms beginning at 9:45 a.m., and children remain in the classroom until after the service when their parents pick them up.
For babies and toddlers, we offer nursery care in the Crib Room on the main floor starting at 9:45 a.m. Our staff is very experienced in childcare. Parents are given beepers so they can be called on the rare occasions when they are needed during the service. Parents of children aged 3 years through kindergarten should bring them to the lower level of the building below the Crib Room which is at the end of the building farthest from the Sanctuary. We use the rooms of the Wellesley Nursery School in the Hills. 3- and 4-year olds occupy one classroom while children aged 5 through kindergarten occupy another. Children in grades 1 through 8 attend the first part of the worship service. The service bulletin indicates when they all go to their classrooms on the third floor. You may escort them to their classes and then return to the service. Alternatively, children are welcome to remain in the Sanctuary for the entire service.
What should I wear to church?
There is a wide range of dress at the Hills Church, but, in general, most people attend in business or business-casual attire. You are, of course, free to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable in church.
Is there a Coffee Hour after church?
We offer a Community Hour every Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. service. Community Hour takes place in our Assembly Hall downstairs except in the summer when we gather on the front lawn. Please don't be shy. Join us. We are eager to meet you.
How can I get more information or get added to the mailing list?
Please fill out the Fellowship Pads located in the pews with your contact information, or speak to a minister after the service. The Hills Church publishes a weekly newsletter, Day by Day, which will be mailed to you, or, if you prefer, can be sent to you via email.
Any other questions?
If we haven't answered all your questions here, please call the church office at 781-235-4424. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Or e-mail your questions to office@hillschurch.org.
