On May 15, 1858, thirty members of the First Congregational Church of Aurora announced their intent to form a new church on the west side of the Fox River in Aurora, where they lived. On June 10, the first organizational meeting was held and the name of the church established: The New England Congregational Church of Aurora. Their first minister, Rev. George Hubbard, was called in January of 1859, and in November of that year, the congregation moved into its first building.

After 7 years of service, Rev. Hubbard left to minister to Union soldiers; the membership had grown to 86. By December, 1871, the membership had increased to 250. The church`s financial position being stable, they purchased a pipe organ to replace the reed organ and gas was substituted for kerosene in the chandeliers. In 1882, a new furnace was installed in the church, and the stoves were no longer used for heating. All the sanctuary pews had cushions, and the Broom Drill Club was formed by 17 young ladies to raise funds for the Sunday School. On November 23, 1884, Mrs. Henry Paddock formed a mission school for the Chinese in Aurora, and enrolled 9 boys.

The lot on which the present building now stands was purchased in March, 1889, the old building (presently the site of Aldi Food Store) was sold to another church in town. The last service in the old church was held on January 5, 1890 and no services were held for 6 weeks. Then the Galena Street Methodist Church (known as Wesley Methodist today) generously offered their building for use while ours was under construction. The dedication service for the new building was held on May 4, 1890. The cost of the building was approximately $25,000. The Beacon-News reported the construction progress, noting that the foundation would be of Joliet limestone and the structure built of tan brick in Romanesque style, with the interior woodwork being of red oak.

Between 1898 and 1901, 140 new members were added to the church. In 1903, the congregation celebrated the fact that the budget deficit for that year was only $176.78!

 In 1911, Boy Scout Troop #3 was organized. A special room for the scouts was completed in 1923; it is still used today by the scouts for their weekly meetings.

$25,000 was spent in 1934 renovating and improving the church building. The chancel was installed in memory of Ernest and Mary Hobbs, the carvings of the riordos and railings were by Alois Lang of Oberammergau, Germany; the Tiffany Rose Window was given by Hedley Jobbins; the chapel was named in honor of Halsey Johnson, and the scout room was paneled in pine and named Norton Hall to honor C. N. Norton for his active scout work.

With a growing congregation, a second minister was hired, and in March 25, 1947, the cornerstone of the new Friendship Center was laid after a successful building program drive.

In 1948 the church voted against joining the new United Church of Christ, but at the annual meeting on January 18, 1961, the church voted unanimously in favor of a union with the UCC. In 1951 the mortgage to the building was burned, the third floor kitchen and Friendship Auditorium was completed, a Casavant pipe organ was installed, new pews placed in the balcony, and a new elevator was installed.

The Halsey Johnson Chapel, which was designed in 1934 as a memorial to a cherished member of the congregation who served as chairperson of Building and Grounds for many years, was the focus of a redecoration project that is one of the church`s crowning glories. Thirty-five needlepoint cushions depicting biblical history, reformation history, and New England Church history were designed by Mary Ann Dykstra and needlepointed by men and women of the congregation. The project was organized by Martha McWethy and the materials for the project were donated by Frances Voris.  Three pulpit chairs from 1890 church altar furniture, carved of black walnut, were reupholstered with needlepoint designs of Jerusalem, Capernaum, and a stained glass window in the Chartres Cathedral.

Early in 1980, the church joined with several other churches in a community effort to care for homeless, hungry people in Aurora. A soup kitchen, a food pantry, a clothing store, and overnight shelter were located in the various church buildings. Later these groups came together under one roof, and Hesed House was born. New England Church was one of the original PADS providers, and was very active in the formation and continued ministry of Hesed House.

Also during this time, with the rise of AIDS in the community, the church offered a support group for those living with the disease. It was the only such group in the whole of Kane County.

During the year of the 100th anniversary of the sanctuary dedication, the sanctuary and altar were redesigned in 1990: the organ was rebuilt as a gift from Herbert and Martha Schingoethe, and the piano was rebuilt in memory of Alfred Sinden, the chancel was extended four feet into the sanctuary, the pulpit and lectern locations were reversed, and the wood floor installed in the chancel. Extensive redecorating was done throughout the building to make the church a more attractive and functional place for ministry.

In 1998 the Nursery School celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Scout Troop #3 celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2000.

With a new long-range plan in place, New England Church looks forward to a vital and exciting future as we seek to be "a caring church for thinking people" in the 21st century.