Historical Foundations
Founded on November 21, 1825, UU Utica began with forty-two members, including five women—each granted full voting rights, a radical inclusion at a time when women’s suffrage was rare. This progressive vision was championed by the church’s first minister, Rev. John S. Thompson, an Irish-born, Scotland-educated clergyman.

Among the early congregation were notable figures such as Andrew S. Pond, who headed an iron foundry, and Ezra Barnum, a boat supplier for the Erie Canal and a U.S. Marshal. Despite facing local opposition, the congregation persisted—purchasing land from Utica businessman Nicholas Devereux to build their first church at 4 Devereux Street.
During this formative period, members also established the Universalist Female Charitable Society, reflecting their early commitment to organized social support and community care.

A Legacy of Advocacy
From its earliest days, UU Utica has been active in movements for abolition and women’s rights. Ministers Dolphus Skinner and Aaron Grosh separately published magazines promoting equality. Grosh later became a founding member and first chaplain of The National Grange and served as the first librarian of the USDA.
In 1926, the Universalist congregation invited local Unitarians to worship with them—35 years before the national merger of the Unitarian and Universalist churches in 1961. This spirit of unity and progress continued throughout the decades.
The church played a key role in advocating for family planning in Oneida County and helped establish a local Planned Parenthood chapter, inspired by Margaret Sanger’s success in Brooklyn. In times of controversy, UU Utica opened its doors to voices that others silenced, including Fr. Daniel Berrigan, a prominent anti-Vietnam War activist, and Alex Haley, author of Roots, who spoke on civil rights shortly after the release of his biography of Malcolm X in 1968.

Continuing the Work Today

UU Utica remains deeply engaged in social justice through a range of initiatives:

• Social Justice Council: This dedicated body coordinates the church’s justice efforts, aligning them with Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) priorities and amplifying the voices of those who advocate for equity and inclusion.
• LGBTQ+ Inclusion: A certified Welcoming Congregation, UU Utica embraces LGBTQ+
  equality through its Inclusion Team, continuing a denomination-wide commitment that began in the 1970s.
• Climate Action: The Climate Action Team leads environmental justice initiatives grounded in the UU principle of respect for the interconnected web of all life. The congregation recently enrolled as a Green Sanctuary 2030 candidate, an ambitious environmental and climate justice movement that seeks to live fully its principles and achieve its vision of a sustainable and just world for all.

Through this work, UU Utica remains steadfast in its mission: nurturing spiritual community, honoring diversity, and advocating for social justice.

Join Us
Sunday Services: 10:30 AM at 10 Higby Road and online via Zoom
Learn more at www.uuutica.org

Calendar of UU Utica’s Bicentennial Activities:
September 14 (Rain date Sept 21) – Walk N’ Talk Tour – Our Church – Early Years in Downtown Utica

Conducted by the church’s historian and communications leader Jerry Reed, the walking tour will begin at Chancellor Park on Bleecker Street at 1:00 PM and visit important landmarks in UU Utica’s early history in downtown Utica.
October 25 – Concert – Adirondack Folk Singer Dan Berggren – Songs of Community, Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice. Tickets are $15 for the concert to be performed at our church, 10 Higby Road, Utica NY

Upcoming Bicentennial Church Services
October 26 – The first in a series of five Bicentennial Commemorative Sunday Services
Guest Speaker: Dan Berggren
Folk musician, SUNY Fredonia professor emeritus, founding member of the UU Congregation of Northern Chautauqua, and member of the UU Church of Saratoga Springs since 2004.

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November 2 – The second in a series of five Bicentennial Commemorative Sunday Services
Guest Minister: Rev. Lori Staubitz
Rev Staubitz, now retired has served as minister to Unitarian Universalist congregations in Brockport & Rochester, NY; Austin TX; Richmond, VA; Southern Maryland; and served as this church’s minister in 2021.

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November 9 – The third in a series of five Bicentennial Commemorative Sunday Services
Guest Minister: Rev. Dr Randolph WB Becker
Rev. Becker grew up in this church, where his parents were active leaders. He participated in our church school and has deep roots in the congregation.

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November 16 – The fourth in a series of five Bicentennial Commemorative Sunday Services
Guest Minister: Rev. Eve Stevens (Minister, 2014–2018)
Rev. Eve began her ministerial journey with this church serving as its minister from 2014 to 2018. Since, she has served as minister with the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte, NC from 2018 to 2022.

This will be a special service of music, memory, and gratitude for the longtime contributions to our 200 year legacy.
Musical Guest: Peggy Spencer Behrendt, Music Director (1970–2000)
Honored Guest: Rev. Timothy Hume Behrendt (Minister, 1970–2000)

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November 23 – The fifth in a special series of five Bicentennial Commemorative Sunday Services
Guest Minister: Rev. Karen Brammer
Rev Karen began as our minister 2022 and recently retired in June 2025. Reverend Karen returns to reflect on UU Utica’s first 200 years and will send the congregation on to its next spiritual journey.

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Contact: Jerry Reed Email: communications@uuutica.org Phone or text: 315-790-1333

10 Higby Road – Utica, NY 13501