Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley |
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| Location | Kensington, California |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Unitarian Universalist |
| Website | https://uucb.org/ |
| History | |
| Founded | July 12, 1891 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 200 seated |
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (UUCB) is a special place that started in Berkeley, California way back in 1891. It moved to Kensington, California in 1961. This church is one of the oldest and largest Unitarian Universalist churches on the West Coast of the United States. Many important people have been members, including professors from the University of California, Berkeley. The UUCB is known for its amazing music program, its inspiring ministers, and its many ways to help people grow spiritually, learn new things, and work for a better world.
Contents
A Look at UUCB's History
How the Church Started
The First Unitarian Church of Berkeley began on July 12, 1891. Its name changed to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley in 1998. Edward B. Payne was the first minister. For several years, the church rented spaces. In 1893, they bought land for a building at Bancroft Way and Dana Street.
An architect named Joachim Mathisen drew up a big plan for a church and a seminary (a school for religious leaders). But a financial crisis in 1893, called the Panic of 1893, stopped these plans. The seminary later became the Starr King School for the Ministry.
Instead, a simpler church building was designed by A. C. Schweinfurth and built in 1898. This redwood-shingled building became famous for its "building with nature" style. It's still there today, used as a dance studio on the University of California campus. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.
Moving to a New Home
Bernard Maybeck, another famous architect, was a member of the church. He designed its parish hall, built in 1909, which is no longer standing. In the mid-1950s, Maybeck owned land in Kensington, an area near Berkeley. He sold this land to the church at a low price. The church had grown too big for its old building, and the university had taken over the property.
A new church building in Kensington was designed by Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons. Theodore Bernardi was the main architect. He admired Maybeck's work, and it influenced his design. The landscape architect was Geraldine Knight Scott. The church started using the main building in 1961. Two more buildings for religious education were added soon after.
When the church planned to move to Kensington, some members decided to stay in Berkeley. They formed the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, which is still active today.
Standing Up for Beliefs: The Loyalty Oath
In 1950, a California politician named Harold Levering suggested a new rule. It would make all religious groups sign a special promise, called a loyalty oath, or lose their tax-exempt status. This meant they would have to pay taxes like regular businesses. This kind of oath was already required for state employees. But it was the first time in U.S. history that the government tried to make religious groups sign such a promise.
The rule became part of California's state constitution in 1952. Most churches signed the oath. However, the First Unitarian Church of Berkeley, led by Rev. J. Raymond Cope, refused to sign. They joined a few other churches, including Unitarians, Methodists, and Quakers. Because they refused, their tax-exempt status was taken away.
But in 1958, the U.S. Supreme Court said that the Levering oath was against the constitution. The churches got back the taxes they had paid. This showed the importance of religious freedom.
The Power of Music at UUCB
The church has a long history of wonderful music. Dr. Bryan Baker leads the music program today. The main choir is called "Luminescence." There is also a Youth and Children's Choir and other groups that sing.
The church has many instruments, including a large Aeolian-Skinner organ, three grand pianos, a harpsichord, and a gamelan (an Indonesian instrument set). These are used in church services and special events. The church is also home to the Kensington Symphony Orchestra. Its excellent sound quality makes it a popular place for musical recordings. Famous pianist André Watts gave concerts here in the early 1990s. Since 1966, singing along to Handel's Messiah has been a special December tradition.
Making a Difference: Social Action
The UUCB is very dedicated to social justice. This means they work hard to make things fair and right for everyone. They have a history of taking action to support human rights, world peace, and good living conditions for all people.
Some of their ongoing projects include helping the Greater Richmond Interfaith Project, which runs a family shelter. They also support a partner Unitarian church and village in the Transylvania region of Romania. The church works with the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry California and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. They also support many other groups that help people and communities.
Leaders of UUCB: Called Ministers
These are some of the ministers who have led the UUCB over the years:
- Edward B. Payne, 1892–1897
- William B. Geoghegan, 1897–1899
- Frederick L. Hosmer, 1900–1904, a writer of many hymns
- John Howland Lathrop, 1905–1911
- Arthur Maxson Smith, 1911–1915
- Harold E.B. Speight, 1915–1921
- Robert French Leavens, 1922–1925
- Eldred C. Vanderlaan, 1925–1932, who signed the Humanist Manifesto
- Horace Westwood, 1934–1945
- J. Raymond Cope, 1946–1968
- Howard W. Oliver, 1969–1972
- Richard F. Boeke, 1973–1994
- Barbara and Bill Hamilton-Holway, 1996–2014
- Christopher (Craethnenn) Holton Jablonski, Minister of Religious Education, 2005–2011
- Christian Schmidt and Kristin Grassel Schmidt, 2016-2020
- Rev. Dr. Michelle Collins, Interim Minister, 2020-2023
- Rev. Marcus Liefert, since August 2023
Notable People Connected to UUCB
Past Members
Many interesting people have been members of the UUCB:
- Kinsey Anderson
- Marian Diamond
- Joseph Fabry]
- Lucile W. Green]
- Charles Keeler
- Joseph Le Conte
- Bernard Loomer
- Bernard Maybeck
- Aurelia Henry Reinhardt
- Malvina Reynolds
- William Emerson Ritter
- Charles Seeger
- Frederick C. Torrey
- Earl Morse Wilbur
Past Guest Speakers
The church has hosted many famous guest speakers:
- Ysaye Barnwell
- Robert Bellah
- Forrest Church
- Daniel Ellsberg
- Viktor Frankl
- Johan Galtung
- Van Jones
- Jack Kornfield
- George Lakoff
- Rabbi Michael Lerner
- Holly Near
- Linus Pauling
- Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
- Rosemary Radford Ruether
- William F. Schulz
- Huston Smith
- Howard Thurman
- Tim Wise
Images for kids
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The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
