Third Unitarian Church facts for kids
The Third Unitarian Church (TUC) is a special church on the West Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is part of the Unitarian Universalist faith, which welcomes people from all backgrounds and encourages them to find their own spiritual path.
The church was started way back in November 1868. It is famous in Chicago for its unique modern architecture, which was very new for its time. Because of its cool design and important history, the building is now an official Chicago landmark. The church calls itself "a progressive, welcoming, and diverse congregation."
Contents
A Church for Chicago's West Side
How It All Began
In 1868, a small group of people wanted to start a Unitarian church in what was then called Chicago's "West Division." They put an ad in a newspaper to find others who felt the same way. The group's first minister was Carlton A. Staples, and they met in a rented hall.
In June 1869, Staples officially became the first pastor. The church grew quickly, and soon more than 100 families were attending. They decided it was time to build their own church building.
The First Building and a Great Fire
The congregation bought land and started building their new church. They even began holding services in the basement before the rest of the building was finished.
However, construction slowed down after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire destroyed the businesses of many church members, making it hard to raise money. During this difficult time, the church opened its basement to help people who had lost their homes in the fire. Despite the challenges, the new church building was officially opened in early 1872.
Over the next few years, the church had some money troubles. At one point, it had to close for a while. Other Chicago ministers helped rally the members to save their church. One person wrote a letter to a newspaper saying that paying off church debt required hard work, not just faith and prayer.
A Fire at the Church
On a Sunday morning in October 1896, a fire broke out in the church basement just as the service was about to start. The pastor, James Vila Blake, was in his office. He calmly went to the front of the church and told everyone to leave quietly.
His quick thinking saved everyone from harm. A newspaper headline the next day read, "Pastor Saves His Flock." The fire destroyed most of the wooden building, but the church members were safe. They continued to meet at another location while they planned to rebuild.
A New Home for the Church
A Modern Landmark
By the 1930s, the congregation decided to move and build a new church. They found a good spot and hired an architect named Paul Schweikher. He designed a building that looked very different from other churches at the time. Its modern and unusual style was groundbreaking.
An addition was built in 1956. Because of its important and pioneering architecture, the building was declared an official Chicago landmark in 1960.
The Famous Murals
Between 1955 and 1963, an artist and church member named Andrene Kauffman created seventeen beautiful ceramic murals for the church. She also designed a large stained glass window.
The murals show portraits of important thinkers and leaders who the church members admire. These include historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Addams, Gandhi, and Socrates.
Leaders of the Church
The church has had many ministers over its long history. Here are a few of them and what they are remembered for.
- Carlton A. Staples (1868–1872): The first pastor who helped the church get started. He encouraged people to be themselves and think with their own minds.
- James Vila Blake (1883-1897): The pastor who calmly saved the congregation from the fire in 1896.
- Rowena Morse Mann (1911-1921): One of the church's notable female ministers.
- Edwin H. Wilson (1932-1941): The minister who led the church during the construction of its current, landmark building.
- Edwin T. Buehrer (1941-1969): He was minister for 28 years. During his time, the church grew, the building was expanded, and the famous Kauffman murals were created.
- Donald H. Wheat (1969-1996): He served for many years and started a food pantry and a scholarship fund for local students.
- Brian Covell (2003-2014): During his time, the church building was repaired, including the famous murals. A community garden was also started for members and neighbors.
- Colleen Vahey (2017–present): The current minister. She has served as a hospital chaplain and college lecturer. She has attracted new members with her focus on community outreach and social activism.
