King's Chapel King’s Chapel in downtown Boston was founded in 1686. It was the first Anglican Church in New England and in 1785 it became the first Unitarian Church in America. Today the church has a Unitarian theology, an Anglican form of liturgy, and a congregational governance.

FUS meeting house The Meeting House of the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, whose parents were founding members of FUS. FUS is one of the largest UU congregations in the US.

Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal non-creedal faith which allows individuals the freedom to have their own spiritual, ethical, and theological beliefs. Despite the pluralist character of the denomination, there are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

  • The inherent worth and dignity of every person
  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

Sources of Faith

Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:

  • Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
  • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love
  • Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
  • Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves
  • Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
  • Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature

History

The Unitarian Universalism religious denomination was formed in the US in 1961 with the merger of the Universalist Church of America (which was founded in 1793) and the American Unitarian Association (which was founded in 1825) to form the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Unitarian and Universalist philosophies have evolved through a long history, with theological origins in European Christian traditions and its congregational origins in 18th century New England.

Community Involvement

A consequence of the principle of justice, equity and compassion in human relations is that UU congregations strive for social justice in society, institutions, and government as well as in our interpersonal relationships. Our public service and community action initiatives reflect this commitment.

National Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA)

The UUA is the largest association of Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian-Universalist congregations. Member congregations (mostly are in the United States) have a congregational polity of governance; it is the congregations that have authority over the larger body via the annual general assembly. There is not a hierachical authority and no one organization is able to speak for the whole. UUA provides public information about the UU denomination and philosophy, materials and supplies for member groups, and services to member congregations such as consultations about organizational planning, ministerial transitions, leadership training, and conflict management

Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC)

The CUC serves Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist congregations in Canada. Many Canadian congregations are members of both CUC and UUA.

International Council of Unitarians and Universalists

The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) voted to dissolve in 2021, lending their support to the Leadership & Design Team charting the future of Intl U/U Collaboration.