Our Denomination

Did you know that Unitarianism began in 1568 in Transylvania, Romania?

Today, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition that was formed from the consolidation of two religions: Unitarianism and Universalism. In America, the Universalist Church of America was founded in 1793, and the American Unitarian Association in 1825. After consolidating in 1961, these faiths became the new religion of Unitarian Universalism through the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

Both religions have long histories and have contributed important theological concepts that remain central to Unitarian Universalism. To learn more about the history of Unitarian Universalism, please see the pamphlet, “Unitarian Universalist Origins: Our Historic Faith.”(Source: UUA.org)

Since the merger of the two denominations in 1961, Unitarian Universalism has nurtured its Unitarian and Universalist heritages to provide a strong voice for social justice and liberal religion. 

Our Ellsworth Church

In Ellsworth, religious liberals organized the Unitarian Society of Ellsworth back in 1835. (They ordained Rev. William Daniels Wiswall in 1837, but abandoned their efforts in 1839.) However, the First Unitarian Society was re-established in 1865. 

On Feb. 9, 2014, our Church Historian, Dr. Wayne H. Smith, made a presentation about the transition from our earliest church, in the 1830s, to the reestablished church in 1865. Click the following link to read it: Transitions. 

Our first church building was located at the corner of Oak and Main Streets (now the site of S. K. Whiting Park). This location was dedicated in 1867.

In 1963, Rev. Rhys Williams and Rev. Ralph Helverson, who both summered in the area, explored and launched the idea of a Summer Visiting Ministers’ Series.

In 1971, it was voted to sell the old church, and the present building was dedicated in 1973. In 1982, the Ethel Schwalbe Community Room was added, and in 1999 the Carl Stehmann Religious Education Wing was completed.

In September, 2011, the Rev. Sara Hayman became our 34th minister.

Our Church Buildings

Church Records

Over time, we will be making scanned and transcribed versions of records from our church archives available on this page.  History buffs will enjoy checking out the records available so far.

Our Original Church: Completed in 1867, torn down in 1971

SK Whiting Park now occupies the spot where our old church stood. Our present building sits just outside town, in a much quieter woodsy setting.