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First Universalist Church of
West Chesterfield
History Of The First Universalist
Church of West Chesterfield
The first Universalist Church of West Chesterfield has
been a part of West Chesterfield history for over 200
years. It was first organized around 1798, possibly
earlier. Throughout its history
the church has had between 30
and 60 members from the
community and surrounding
area. In the beginning, church
members met in private
homes or school houses, but by
1830 membership of the church had grown and the members were able to build the church building that stands today with funds raised from the sale of family pews. Oran Randall wrote in his History of Chesterfield that people from other faiths also bought pews in the agreement that they may hold services in the church building as well.
The building remains essentially unchanged from it’s
original state. The building is simple. The Greek revival
style and the open, spacious interior lends itself as well
today as it did in 1830. When built, it had pew boxes with
doors and a wood stove near the center of the sanctuary.
Throughout its history the church has been largely led
by lay members of the congregation. In March of 1800
the members voted to began hiring ministers part-time,
yet the church remains “uniquely led by its faithful
members” (History of Chesterfield, 1888).
Today the church has approximately 25 registered
members with a small number of devoted people that
attend and hold services every Sunday from Easter
through Christmas at 10am.
-Information provided by Mary Maxwell
and the Chesterfield Historical Society
been a part of West Chesterfield history for over 200
years. It was first organized around 1798, possibly
earlier. Throughout its history
the church has had between 30
and 60 members from the
community and surrounding
area. In the beginning, church
members met in private
homes or school houses, but by
1830 membership of the church had grown and the members were able to build the church building that stands today with funds raised from the sale of family pews. Oran Randall wrote in his History of Chesterfield that people from other faiths also bought pews in the agreement that they may hold services in the church building as well.
The building remains essentially unchanged from it’s
original state. The building is simple. The Greek revival
style and the open, spacious interior lends itself as well
today as it did in 1830. When built, it had pew boxes with
doors and a wood stove near the center of the sanctuary.
Throughout its history the church has been largely led
by lay members of the congregation. In March of 1800
the members voted to began hiring ministers part-time,
yet the church remains “uniquely led by its faithful
members” (History of Chesterfield, 1888).
Today the church has approximately 25 registered
members with a small number of devoted people that
attend and hold services every Sunday from Easter
through Christmas at 10am.
-Information provided by Mary Maxwell
and the Chesterfield Historical Society
Church
Officers
Officers
Website Themes by CoffeeCup Software
Who are we?
We are a small congregation of
community members interested in
making a difference in our town
through community activism and
spiritual growth.
We are a small congregation of
community members interested in
making a difference in our town
through community activism and
spiritual growth.
Church members elected
officers and the board of
trustees during our annual
business meeting
on May 15, 2011.
2011 ~ 2012 Officers
Moderator: Nancy Weist Brooks
Treasurer: Stephen Brooks
Secretary: Betsey Brackett, Auditor: Jim Lichoulas
Freda Davis, Trustee
Mary Maxwell, Trustee
Marilou Parkhurst, Trustee
on May 15, 2011.
2011 ~ 2012 Officers
Moderator: Nancy Weist Brooks
Treasurer: Stephen Brooks
Secretary: Betsey Brackett, Auditor: Jim Lichoulas
Freda Davis, Trustee
Mary Maxwell, Trustee
Marilou Parkhurst, Trustee
-We are a small, accepting,
community church who encourage
individuals to honor the presence of
the divine in his or her own life.
-Because of our own Judeo-Christian
heritage, it has seemed appropriate to make teachings of Jesus our primary guide, while recognizing that their are other guides as valid and to love and learn from people of other religions and backgrounds.
-We encourage people to reflect on their own beliefs and actions and to accept responsibility for their own spiritual growth.
-We believe that God works through
individuals as well as congregations. We must become a servant of the good of the greater community.
-We believe that there is a strength in
coming together to worship, to work, and to strive, that cannot be found alone. through worship and work together we find guidance and support in our individual lives. We unite by giving of ourselves to tasks we choose together.
-Because of our own Judeo-Christian
heritage, it has seemed appropriate to make teachings of Jesus our primary guide, while recognizing that their are other guides as valid and to love and learn from people of other religions and backgrounds.
-We encourage people to reflect on their own beliefs and actions and to accept responsibility for their own spiritual growth.
-We believe that God works through
individuals as well as congregations. We must become a servant of the good of the greater community.
-We believe that there is a strength in
coming together to worship, to work, and to strive, that cannot be found alone. through worship and work together we find guidance and support in our individual lives. We unite by giving of ourselves to tasks we choose together.
Who We Are.
"With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that
keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal
experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a
book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.
Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, day-care centers, lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family events, adult education classes and study groups".
Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, day-care centers, lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family events, adult education classes and study groups".
What is a Unitarian Universalist?