Founded in 1711 when the Andover congregational church split into north and south parishes, the South Church now serves as the church for roughly 700 area residents to practice under the denomination of the United Church of Christ. The church runs a church school program for roughly 300 local youths and also engages in domestic and international mission trips. The church welcomes all individuals raised under various faiths. According to its website, the view of the steeple at the South Church inspired South Church seminarian Samuel F. Smith, who wrote "My Country Tis of Thee," in writing one specific line in the song; "I love thy rocks and rills, thy wooded and templed hills."