Our Denomination

Unitarian Universalism has a solid place in American and European religious history. Yet it is only a few decades old as a unified denomination, owing to the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America in 1961. Today the Unitarian Universalist Association represents more than 1000 churches and fellowships throughout America. Each offers members the opportunity to pursue spiritual growth, social justice and life-long religious education in a supportive community free of compulsory beliefs.

Early Roots: Unitarianism and Universalism developed independently in Europe in reaction to traditional Christian orthodoxy, particularly during the Protestant Reformation.

• Universalists did not accept the concept of original sin and believed instead in the doctrine of universal salvation.
• Unitarians rejected the notion of the Trinity and believed Jesus was a fully-human messenger of God.

18th and 19th Centuries: Despite ruthless suppression as religious heresy, each movement survived and found its way to America. In the United States, both denominations took root and developed as more rational and liberal alternatives to the rigid teachings of Protestant churches of the era.

• The Universalist Church in America promoted the idea of a loving God who would not condemn any of His children to eternal damnation and grew to become the sixth largest US denomination at the time of the Civil War. Universalists became leaders in many social causes, and the denomination was the first to ordain women. Clara Barton, battlefield nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, exemplifies the loving spirit of Universalism.
• The Unitarian Church formed in 1820's New England because of a break within the Congregational Church over rigid Calvinism versus more liberal theologies. 19th century Unitarians abandoned Trinitarian orthodoxy and elevated the role of reason and free human will in religious inquiry. Unitarians are among the best known social reformers in American history. Their ranks include Horace Mann, father of public education; mental health reformer Dorothea Dix; abolitionist Julia Ward Howe; and women's rights leaders Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Many of the great American writers and thinkers of this period were also Unitarian including Emerson, Thoreau, Longfellow, William Cullen Bryant, Louisa May Alcott, and Oliver Wendell Holmes.

20th Century: During the first half of the 20th Century, the two religious groups continued to be in the forefront of social reform and efforts to alleviate suffering during two world wars.

• The Unitarians grew and increasingly emphasized rationalism and the individual as the ultimate source of religious authority.
• The Universalists, with a somewhat more traditional Christian focus, declined in competition with more tolerant mainline denominations and emerging fundamentalist and Pentecostal churches.

Nevertheless, these liberal churches continued their cooperative relationship and began to explore the possibilities of a union. After decades of discussion and joint activities in the areas of education, publications, and public relations, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was created and the merger was complete.

Since its creation, the UUA has been the leading voice for liberal religion in America. It has also continued the Unitarian and Universalist legacies of working for peace, equality and social justice. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, the causes of nuclear disarmament, civil rights, women's rights, anti-Viet Nam war activism, gay rights and environmental stewardship were embraced by the UUA and its congregations.

Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-governing. The UUA, with headquarters in Boston, supports its member congregations by providing educational, management and financial resources. It also works to foster the growth of Unitarian Universalism and gives public voice to UU principles and social justice initiatives. The UU Fellowship of Waynesboro is organized under the Thomas Jefferson District of UUA.

The UU historical information above was excerpted from "A Brief Overview of Unitarian Universalism" by Patrick Murfin. More information on the rich history of our denomination can be found on the UUA website.