Church History

                           


There has been a Unitarian presence in Cleveland since the first services were held in 1836.  It was not until January 14, 1867, however, that a congregation was formally gathered and incorporated.  In 1880, under the leadership of the Rev. Frederick Lucian Hosmer, the congregation erected its first building at the corner of Bolivar and Prospect streets.  One of the first free kindergartens was housed in the church, along with a domestic science training school and a cooking school.  Hospitals and other charities were aided financially, and the church collected clothing for distribution to those in need.
 
During the years 1901-04, the congregation built a new church at the corner of 82nd Street and Euclid Avenue.  For the next few decades, the church grew in both numbers and influence, becoming the center for liberal religion in Cleveland and a major presence in the American Unitarian Association (now the Unitarian Universalist Association).  Unpopular causes such as the support of birth control and the repeal of prohibition found a home among its ministers and members.  In 1946, with the city growing, the congregation founded a church on the west side, West Shore Unitarian Church in Rocky River.


Five years later, First Church would vote to move once again, this time to its present location on the tip of Belvoir Oval in Shaker Heights.  Our current building was dedicated in January, 1955, with the Rev. Frederick May Eliot, then president of the AUA, preaching.
 

Soon after this move, the congregation helped found the East Shore Unitarian Church.  In the 1960's, Robert Shaw directed the music program and hosted many renowned musicians in the First Unitarian Church's loft.  Music has continued to be an important and central aspect to life here, as has our social outreach programs (detailed elsewhere under Social Justice).  In the past couple of years, the church also began a very successful program of Covenant Groups, also detailed elsewhere here.
 
Today, the First Unitarian Church continues to be a center for liberal religion in greater Cleveland and looks forward with anticipation to its years to come.