A very short course in
Unitarian-Universalist History
- Unitarians first emerged in Transylvania in the 1500's.
- It then emerged in New England in the early 1800's when liberal Congregational ministers began humanizing Jesus. At about the same time Universalists also formed from various Christians who believed that God would save all people.
- Unitarians and Universalists merged in 1961 to form a single religion dedicated to the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and the interdependent web of all existence.
Our History in Menomonie
In 1888, about 30 members organized the Unitarian Society of Menomonie. The first minister, Henry Doty Maxson, had a vision of the ideal church as both religious and secular, which coincided with the dream of Andrew and Bertha Tainter to build a memorial for their daughter, Mabel. This dream became the Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater That Unitarian Society survived until 1947.
The current Unitarian Society was chartered in 1983 and meets once again in it's historic home, this beautiful theater. The congregation is approximately 30 members.
A history of theUnitarian Society at the Historic Mabel Tainter Theatre
Full Circle of Life: Chapter 1
Full Circle of Life: Chapter 2
Full Circle of Life: Chapter 3