First Unitarian Universalist Church

The beginnings in the 1860s attracted a congregation from the small farming community and its surroundings, and gradually grew to call a long series of Universalist and Unitarian ministers who served the liberal community.

Four men filled the pulpit for about two years each until 1871 when the congregation ordained Eliza Tupper Wilkes. She served about two years and was followed by 12 men, each of whom also served about two years.

At a low point in the 1930s there was serious concern that the church would not be able to continue. The Rev. R. Homer Gleason admonished the congregation regarding the need for a liberal church when he said, "...the First Universalist church may be that church if it will ..." The membership dropped to 74. The church accepted the admonition and weathered the storms of the great depression.

Since the 1961 merger of the Unitarian and Universalist churches the local congregation has continued to thrive. Its ministers have served the church and the community for longer periods, the congregation and several of its members have been recognized for service to the District and the national Association, and the congregation now occupies the fourth building in its history and its membership has reached more than 350.

Among the 28 ministers who have served the congregation, 25 have been permanent settlements and three have been Interim ministers. Those who have served since World War II have served longer and have become more involved with the community. The Rev. Horton Colbert introduced a radio ministry which helped explain Universalism to the community, and his sermons during wartime covered a wide range of subjects including union labor, the atomic age, the Soviet Union, China, and world peace. He left Rochester to become education director of the Universalist Association of America. The Rev. George Lapoint continued the radio ministry, and introduced the Beacon Curriculum into the religious education program. The church commissioned a mural project consisting of nine paintings by William Saltzman, director of the local Art Center, depicting curriculum themes of the church school. Member Sue Bateman became the first paid director of religious education.

In 1964, during the civil rights crisis, the congregation sent the Rev. Vernon Curry to Selma, Alabama, to march in support of oppressed and disadvantaged people who were victims of educational discrimination. During this time Alicia and Jim Clagett helped the District obtain a gift of property on Star Island in Cass Lake, Minnesota, and were, with the help of many other members of the congregation, leaders of the development of the property into Camp UniStar.

The growing congregation required additional space and purchased the wooded hillside on what was then the outskirts of Rochester, where a new building would be built. Donald Layton was Building Committee chair and the new church was occupied in 1968.

Mr. Curry was succeeded by the Rev. Alexander "Scotty" Meek who served from 1973 to 1983. Under his leadership the church instituted a cooperative nursery for the community and began holding forums on matters of public interest, a group of members purchased a grand piano, another group built a reproduction of an 18th century harpsichord, and a pipe organ which was a gift of Mary Kahler Hench was installed.

In 1985 the congregation called the Rev. Fred Campbell. He organized a group to discuss Deep Ecology, revived the popular Boar's Head feast, promoted plans for a Memorial Garden, and organized lay-lad summer services. A Caring Committee was developed to assist members of the congregation and the community who needed assistance in a crisis. Plans were laid for extensive improvements to the building.

By 1991 the church was prepared to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The year-long celebration began with a sermon by the Rev. John Cummins, Minister Emeritus of the First Universalist church of Minneapolis, and concluded with a two-day visit and sermon by the Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In between were many events with historical overtones including restoration of the art glass windows from the 1915 church building. The membership had reached a church membership of 200 and an RE registration of 100.

In 1992 the congregation called the Rev. Dillman Baker Sorrells to be its minister, which set in motion many significant program changes and remarkable growth. That growth signaled several changes: the congregation has two identical services each Sunday except during summer, and there are now two full-time and three part-time staff members including the minister, and two volunteers with specific duties. Special new services are now integral parts of Sunday services, including a water ceremony at the beginning of the church year, a flower communion, and a Maundy Thursday service. A full supply of new hymnals was purchased. The Venture, a report of church activities and information, is published bi-monthly, and mailed to all members and friends.

A number of improvements were included in a million-dollar renovation project. A new elevator serving all four levels of the building was installed so that now the entire building is accessible. A new larger entrance and revised approach to the building has made the entire area more attractive. Significant refurbishing made the interior more attractive. Several silk banners now decorate the auditorium and attractive cases display collections of church documents and space is provided for historical photographs and other art.

The congregation also made several statements about the quality of its service. It officially became a Welcoming Congregation, added covenant groups, adult RE programs, a leadership retreat, and again hosted the Prairie Star District annual meeting. The congregation received the O. Eugene Picket Award in 1995, and former member Linda Horton was named Unsung UU at the 2004 General Assembly. Mary Amundsen was elected president of the District in 2004.

Reverend Sorrells announced her retirement as of August 1, 2005 and at the annual meeting she was bestowed the title Minister Emerita. The Rev. Sue Turner was called as an interim minister, and a search committee seeking the next permanent minister was elected.

The Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski was called as settled minister in the summer of 2006 and installed in February of 2007.  The church is currently involved in a planning process.