Our History

  • Mar 28, 1954.  21 members sign membership book, adopt by-laws and elect six trustees. Rev. John MacKinnon christens Gregory Alexander Roehrs, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Gordon Roehrs. Following business discussions, the question, “Are Unitarians Christians?” is addressed and seven different answers are presented and discussed.
  • Sep 25, 1955.  Unitarian Sunday School opens for first time, meeting weekly 10:30 – 12:00 at Chester County Art Center. Twenty-five school-age children are enrolled in religious education classes.
    old_fellowship
    Marshall Street
  • Jun 8, 1959.  Rev. James Reeb, Associate Minister of All Souls’ Church, Washington, D. C. addresses our congregation, speaking on “Religious Liberals on Vacation.” James Reeb is later killed in Selma, Alabama, and Rev. Martin Luther King delivers the eulogy.
  • Jun 4, 1960.  The Unitarian and Universalist merger is approved by the congregation with a large majority.
  • Jul 22, 1961.  The Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester receives the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Unitarian Service Committee.
  • 1962.  501 N. Franklin Street is purchased for $19,000 and soon becomes known as “Unitarian House.”
  • Oct 22, 1989.  Kate Rhode is called as our minister and is installed at a special ceremony held at West Chester Friends Meeting House. Rev. Brad Greely, minister at Mainline delivers the sermon.
  • 1992.  Kate’s sermon, “A Candle for Anita,” wins the Skinner Sermon Award and serves as the basis of a national UU convocation honoring University of Oklahoma law professor Anita Hill.
  • 1994.  Kate Rohde’s Gay Liberation for Straight People sermon wins first annual Interweave Sermon Award.
  • build-medJul 20, 1995.  The fellowship buys New Century Club at 501 South High Street for $225,000.
  • Jun 2000.  Congregation votes to become a Welcoming Congregation after successful presentation of ten weekly workshops exploring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. Mission is to ensure continued support for the rights and worth of LGBT persons.
  • 2001.  Kate wins the 2001 Commission on Social Witness/UU Ministers Association award for her social justice sermon “Have We Won the War Yet?” on the U. S. drug war.
  • Aug 1, 2007. UFWC calls Rev. Deborah Mero to be our minister. She presided over an expanded Adult Exploration program, led several UCWC women’s retreats, and increased participation in the MLK, Jr. Day of Service.
  • Feb. 12, 2012. At an official congregational meeting called in accordance with the bylaws, the name of The Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester was changed by vote of a supermajority of members to The Unitarian Congregation of West Chester.
  • Renovation Dedication

    May 1, 2016. UCWC calls Rev. Daniel Schatz to be our minister.

  • Nov 12, 2017. Dedication and official move-in of our newly-renovated building.
  • March 2020. Services, Meetings, and Activities move to online.