North River Community Church began as a movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of a handful of people in the summer of 1989. A Steering Committee of ten members began to pray and plan, sensing the tremendous need for a church which was organized specifically for the purpose of presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the growing number of unchurched people in the North River area. This team took its name from the North River, which connects several communities in southeastern Massachusetts. Today, people from more than 40 towns make up the fellowship of North River Church.
North River Church grew steadily in its early years, while meeting first in the Pembroke Community Center, and later in a remodeled office park. In March of 2003, the church completed its move into its new facility on a 44 acre campus at 334 Old Oak Street, in Pembroke. The North River campus sits on the town line between Pembroke and Marshfield and overlooks the northbound side of Route 3. This campus also offers North River's congregation of more than 600 people ample room for growth, vision and expansion in future years.

North River Church is a contemporary, Christ-centered evangelical church which participates in the Willow Creek Association and which is also a Purpose-Driven Church. The church also was honored to receive one of Purpose Driven Ministries' "2004 Church Health Awards."