History of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale
From 1957 - 2001
1957
The UU Church of Fort
Lauderdale began when Philip Godfrey and Fred Stanton met. Godfrey had worked with Stanton's uncle in
reviving All Souls Unitarian Church in New York before moving to Florida. Stanton's parents had been married and
buried at All Souls so his contacts had been deeply rooted. A planning organization had been formed in
Dade County consisting of 3 ministers, Canfield, Hoffman and Rollins and 2 lay
people, Godfrey and Rosen. At the
suggestion of Rev. Rollins, Stanton, a resident of Broward County, was added to
the committee November 27,1957. The
committee, together with the staff of the First Unitarian Church of Miami, sent
letters to 80 families announcing the formation of a Unitarian Fellowship in
Broward County. Thirty replies were
received. A meeting was called for
December 19, 1957 at Church-by the-Sea (Presbyterian). Godfrey and Stanton shared the chair at the
first meeting, which was attended by 30 people from Broward County. Some of these people had read about the
meeting in a feature article in the Fort Lauderdale News.
1958
On January 20, 1958 the
ensuing Executive Committee arranged to hold meetings each Sunday at the
Church-by-the-Sea from 2-4:15PM.for $25 per week. The speakers included people from the University of Miami, First
Unitarian Church in Miami and clergy from local churches and temples. During this time Godfrey and Stanton would
huddle together after the plate was passed each Sunday to count the income to
see if there was enough money to pay the next weeks speaker. If not, a member would take the pulpit. With 34 charter memberships, this ambitious
group discussed professional music and further advertising. The fledgling congregation moved to the
recreation center provided by Mr. And Mrs. Donald Moore at Trail's End while
searching for suitable permanent church and school facilities. We began our part time minister at this same
time. Walter Jolly, a charter member,
was a graduate of St. Lawrence Theological School and was living on his boat
here in Fort Lauderdale with his wife Helena.
He was asked to serve as part-time Minister from December 1958 to May
1964. His salary was $265 per
month. The American Unitarian Association
granted application for ordination.
1959
Full church status was
applied for from the A.U.A and received.
The Circuit Court approved State Charter for the Unitarian Church the
following month. Fred Stanton reported
to the Secretary of Florida Council of Liberal Churches -- "Attendance 80,
low 64 -- high 119, Church school 30."
Rev. Jolly was called to be full-time minister in May at the salary of
$6000 per year. The Women's Alliance was organized this January and filled many
functions. They organized dinners and
party's and raised money. They became a
separate pledging unit one-year. One
year they added $900 to the general fund to send one of our teens to a Blue
Ridge Camp, contributed to the Children's Aid Society
and also to a Scholarship fund at Dillard High School for
nursing. This group disbanded in 1969.
1960 - 1962
At a January meeting the
congregation voted to approve the Unitarian and Universalist merger and
appointed a Planning Committee to work out expansion plans. The question was to build or to buy. Our coffers were low but our hopes ran
high. (A tradition held on to
today) The Nazarene Church at 300 SE 6th
Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale went on the market at this time but they
were appalled to think they might sell to Unitarians. Negotiations were stalled when the Nazarenes had trouble buying
land for their new property but they went ahead and de-dedicated their previous
property (some suggested de-sanctified) in preparation of the Unitarian take
over. The fund raising and planning
took over 3 years and we spent some of that time housed in a former honey
factory on Riverland Road. The first mortgage of $60,000 at 6% was placed with
Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan and a second mortgage was held by charter
member Philip Godfrey after a $10,000 gift from him. Many stories were told about that initial fund raising. One of the favorites was about Jeanette
Jones and her husband Willard was going shopping for a new car. He suggested a Cadillac and Jeanette
suggested a Buick and put the $2500 difference into the building fund.
1963
After much painting,
cleaning and renewing, the new church was dedicated January 27. Soon after that, the arms of the Christian
Cross, atop the tower, were blocked out, at member request. Between January and May of that year, 156
visitors signed the guest book and seven joined. We struggled to support our church and pay our minister. Fred Godfrey forgave his loans to the church
and Jeanette Jones continued with special gifts including her home in Ohio.
1964-1966
Rev. Jolly accepted a call
to a congregation in Corpus Christi, Texas, as he sought increased income and
new challenges. He left with the
heartfelt thanks to our congregation for our years together. Rev Weston was called to our church to serve
as minister for a salary of $8,000 per year and a parsonage for living
quarters. During the next few years, we
went from dire financial straights to being solvent with 160 members and 83
children. Church school included Sunday
school, a discussion group, study group and book review group. Each Sunday a
Speakers Forum was held featuring paid and unpaid speakers. Dr. Weston gave a short sermon weekly on
WLFM. We contributed to UUA, Starr-King
Theological Seminary and started a savings account.
1967
Rev. Weston resigned to move
to California to be near his son. He
was beloved and missed. Rev. David Sheyer was called to our church in November
1967 at a salary of $10,000 per year.
Church membership was 225 with 107 children registered in R.E. The U.U.
Service Committee became active at our church with Noralee Traylor as our local
representative.
1968-1970
In August of 1968, a
preoccupation with financial matters became a way of church life. We were in arrears in current bills and
struggled as our indebtedness grew and credit rating dropped. The congregation suffered with low morale,
poor communication, disorganization and discouragement. There was discontent surrounding Rev.
Sheyer's ministry. Under the joint
auspices of the Florida District Board of UU Minister's Association, a
minister-layperson team offered to resolve stress in a non-judgmental
fashion. The Board accepted the offer.
1970
The focus of one of our
social justice concerns this year was the "Zero population Growth
Issue" and Joyce Tarnow was a leader.
Many people in our congregation were concerned about this issue.
1971
The UU Church of Fort
Lauderdale accepted Rev. Sheyer's resignation.
Thirty-three members and Rev. Sheyer
applied for fellowship status from the UUA to begin again. The UUA approved fellowship status for them
after receiving approval from the Ft Lauderdale congregation. This group of
dissenters started out west and later joined with the Hollywood Fellowship,
which continues today.
Difficult financial issues
continued for the Fort Lauderdale Church and there were frequent discussions
about selling the church or finding the resources to upgrade and repair it. We
hired our first paid Religious Education Director at this time. It was Sue Badger and she was paid $100 per
month. Church school attendance was at
an all time low of 10-20 children.
Dorothy Page becomes the
first woman President of our church.
1972
Jack Daniel is called to be
our minister
1974
The Stained Glass Flaming
Chalice given in loving memory of Rick Page by his parents, Dorothy and Richard
Page. Dot Muise shares her musical
talents directing music and choir. Our Social Hall is officially named
"Godfrey Hall" after charter member and benefactor Philip
Godfrey. At our Oakland Park church,
our patio is named for Mr. Godfrey
1976
Our congregation was
socially active this year. We held a "Celebration of Peace and Vietnam War
protest", and Father Berrigan spoke at UUCFL. The National Organization for
Women (N.O.W.) Broward Chapter organized and met in our church. They had
trouble finding a place that they were welcome elsewhere.
1978
Rev Stephan Papa is called
as our minister.
1980
Activity in support of Farm
Workers is sponsored at our church and spearheaded by member Dr. Georgianna
Lowen. Wayside Pulpit is built by Dick Boyce and sponsored by Mary Smithwick.
1981
Our UUCFL Charter was
changed to reflect a more inclusive language concerning non-heterosexuals. Rev.
Daniel led Unitarian Universalists and the community in Farm Workers Rally.
Rev. Papa answers Religious Right in an article in the local paper including a
photo with a bumper sticker "The Moral Majority is Neither".
Thelma Daniel is featured in Sun Sentinel for her activism in N.O.W. and
Pro-ERA. Members create the first UUCFL Banner for public demonstrations and
six members create the World Faith banners that hang in our sanctuary
today. The quilters were Deborah Holt,
Rachel Donelson, Louise Mitchell, Deanne Smith, Betty Kearns and Bob
Yoho.
1982
The Broward Committee for
Nuclear Freeze met at UUCFL Debbi Holt, Patty Prevost and Bud Whitney
presented the congregation with the montage of "Famous UU's" that
hangs in our entrance hall today.
1983
25th Anniversary
of UUCFL
UUCFL Endowment was incorporated with
charter members Kip Barkley, Gary Jarvela, Rey Hyde, Mark Myers, Walt Gore and
Jack Anker. Thelma Daniel was voted Feminist of the Year for Broward County by
N.O.W. Rev Don Marshall is called as
Interim Minister.
1984
Broward County Blood
Mobile began its first drive at UUCFL. Ruth Pearl continues this good work
today. Rev. Kit Howell is called to
serve as our minister. We sold our
downtown property and moved to temporary site at Temple Emanu-El. We began our building drive. UUCFL opened
its doors for A.A. meetings. UUCFL
member Arlene Goodwin founded Broward Citizens for Peace and Justice. This year we began a long tradition of
"Bazaar" fundraisers started by Debbi Holt and carried on for
many years by Judy Pine.
1986
Peace Place began in the
Broward County Library by UUCFL Member Georgianna Lowen and staffed by many
other members. This became a resource
for teachers and families to learn non-competitive games and fun.
Members Annette VanHowe and
Wilma Greban founded Women's History Coalition
for Broward County.
1987
In April, the congregation
moved to our newly built church in Oakland Park. The Tree of Life Sculpture,
hanging on the back wall of our sanctuary, was designed by member Jon Kitner to
thank supporters of the building fund.
1988
Our congregation votes UUCFL
property to become a Nuclear Free Zone.
Food is collected for the Cooperative Feeding Program. Arlene Goodwin initiates this.
1989
Third Sunday Dinners are
offered to the congregation by Marno, Dennis and Bobby West and Martha and
MacKenzie George to promote fellowship.
These continue until 1996 and were a source of fun and community and it
was also a gateway for new members and friends to join us. Activists Joyce
Tarnow, Cam Enright and Dot Muise along with other members become involved in
Patient Escorts, a pro-choice group.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are being prepared after church by
Arlyne and Archie Goodwin for the Cooperative Feeding Program. This
continued for about ten years.
1990
This is the year of our
first Mothers Day Spring Concert with our music director Dot Muise. Rev. George Briggs is called as our interim
Minister. Kathleen Rhodes raises our consciousness as a Sierra Club Activist.
Sean Spivey, Eagle Scout and
Lee Wandel build our Memorial Garden as a Scout Project. Jon Kitner designed the plans for it. Two of
our members, Felix Mitchell and Lynn Kurpiewski become active in Habitat for
Humanity.
1991
Rev. Liz McMaster is called
as settled minister for UUCFL.
1992
Member Annette VanHowe is
president of Broward Planned Parenthood.
Member Steve Jens-Rochow founds the Bi-sexual Network Support
Group and it meets at UUCFL.
1993
Member Deb Launer brings her
adopted children with AIDS to our church and our parents learn safe ways to
welcome and live with her family in the childrens' Sunday school. Dan McGrath brings music to our church with Hot Java on Saturday nights. UUCFL sponsors a fundraiser to fund a
permanent location for the controversial Judy Chicago's Dinner Party. The Racial Diversity Task Force brings Dr.
William Jones to speak Black Empowerment. My God,
featured in the Sun Sentinel showcased drawings of how children see God
and UUCFL's Avril McGrath's work was chosen.
1994
Sean Spivey resigns from the
Boy Scouts of America in protest of their policy of excluding gays. He declined the Vigil Honor. UUCFL members march outside of Coral Ridge
Presbyterian Church to protest Dan Quayle and Family Values agenda of the Religious Right. Our children in R.E. declared us a Hate Free zone this year. Feminist of the year as appointed by N.O.W
was Dorcie Gallagher, a member. Voice
for Choice, lead by Annette VanHowe, was active in the abortion issue.
1995
The adults declared our
location a Hate Free Zone. Churches in
Conversation began; this is now Churches in Cooperation. We celebrated Jeanette Jones 100th
birthday with her. She was of our most
generous supporters over the years from the very beginning. A panel was added to the AIDS Quilt project
from UUCFL with the names of members and friends who have lost their lives to AIDS
and AIDS related illnesses. Our
quilters were Deb Holt, Eric Belfi,
Ruth Pearl, Rachel Donelson, Bill Marx and Adele Alexandre. Etz Chaim, a Jewish congregation, begins to
rent space at our church this year.
1996
Ruth Waskey organizes
cooking for the homeless; Steve Jens-Rochow helps to rebuild Black
churches burned in the South. Vision
Night brainstorming introduces the idea of expanding UU presence in Broward
County with a church out west.
1997
This was our tenth
Anniversary of our home in Oakland Park.
Debi Holt compiles a timeline and gathered much of the information in
this history. River of Grass
Congregation begins planning. Our
congregation begins the hard work of birthing a new church.
1998
Rev. Matthew McNaught is
called as Interim Minister
1999
The Tower Project is
installed comprising of pavers and a mosaic of the Flaming Chalice at
our church entrance. The design contest winner was Kathy Jens-Rochow. Gail Tapscott is called as our settled
minister. Eileen Donahoe is our new Director
of Religious Education.
2000
River of Grass, the new UU Congregation
in western Broward County is dedicated.
2001
The Long Range Planning
Committee delivers its report to the congregation. Together we begin the next chapter as a thriving voice for
liberal religion in Broward County.