History of the
Unitarian Universalist Society
of Greater Springfield
The story of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield began with the founding of the Third Congregational Society in 1819, when 55 members left the First Parish (Congregational) in Springfield, established in 1636. These people wanted to hear the message that "a loving God would find a way to save all mankind", which was absent from the orthodox Calvinist message being preached by their minister. By 1867 they had outgrown their original meeting house. They laid the cornerstone of their second religious home, the renowned Church of the Unity, on State Street in Springfield.
Our historic organ and stained glass window were moved from that church. In addition to worship services and religious education for children and adults, the church sponsored the first Boy Scout
and Girl Scout troops in Springfield. The Alliance, which still meets today, was founded there in 1894. In the 1930s, there were over 400 members, church radio broadcasts, and the congregation was active in many civic and social concerns. This tradition of spiritual growth and community involvement continues today. In 1962, construction began on the meeting house on Porter Lake Drive and the congregation moved with a new name, the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield. In 1995, the congregation changed its name to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield.
The Church of the Unity, approximately 1949
Four other congregations merged with this one over the years.
The First Independent Universalist Society in Springfield was formed in 1827. The congregation grew, participating in the religious debates of its time, building a church in 1844, and reorganizing in 1855 when it became known as St. Paul's Church. A new church was built in 1869, where "the Society prospered and grew, especially strong in the good fellowship among its men, and the good works and locally famous fairs and suppers of its women." In 1928, when the minister retired at the Church of the Unity, the two congregations merged and invited Reverend Eames, the pastor of St. Paul's, to serve the federated church.
In 1895, St. Paul's established an outreach congregation, the Second Universalist Church, and then began another Universalist mission in the North End. Second Universalist Church continued as a small, friendly community church until 1946 when it merged with Church of the Unity.
In 1841 a group of Unitarians that had been meeting for ten years built a small church and organized as the First Unitarian Society of Chicopee. The Society thrived through the turn of the century, building a new church with magnificent stained glass windows in 1893. After 1912, the congregation grew smaller and in 1972 voted to join the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield.
In 1953, the Massachusetts Universalist Convention established a congregation in the Sixteen Acres area of Springfield by canvassing for members door to door and purchasing land and buildings for a meeting house and parsonage. By 1960 there were about 80 members -- mainly young families energetically involved in their faith community. In 1971 this congregation merged with the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield.
Today, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield approaches its second century of spiritual life and service to the community with gratitude to our Unitarian and Universalist predecessors for their vision, generosity and commitment to our liberal religious heritage.