Who We Are

The Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church is a congregation of approximately 150 members, located in Melrose, Massachusetts, approximately 9 miles north of Boston. The Unitarian Congregation of Melrose was founded in July 1867 at the current location. It was not until May 1974, when Unitarian and Universalist churches merged, that The Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church was born. Our church provides a welcoming home to those seeking a liberal religious community.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church is to create an open faith community for living our Unitarian Universalist principles. We celebrate religious and cultural diversity, encourage spiritual growth and promote a world of peace and social justice.

Church History

The history of our church, and thus Unitarianism and Universalism in Melrose, stretches back to the 1800’s. Universalist worship had its beginnings in the early 1800’s, when a number of ministers, including Hosea Ballou, gave a sermon in a small schoolhouse on Lebanon Street. However, it wasn’t until 1849 that 16 members joined together to organize the first Universalist Parish in Melrose. In the prior year (1848), Unitarianism made its first appearance in Melrose, as the result of a mission sponsored by the American Unitarian Association. Unfortunately, the mission apparently was unsuccessful and was given up after several months. It was close to twenty years following this mission before further attempts were made to establish Unitarianism in Melrose. Finally, in July 1867, the Unitarian Congregation of Melrose was organized.

Both congregations continued to grow over the one hundred or so years leading up to their merger in 1975. About 1852, the Universalist Parish constructed a church at the corner of Essex and Willow streets on land bought for the congregation by its first minister, J.W. Talbot. The Universalist Parish continued to use this parcel until 1975. In fact, the building, which served as the last home of the independent Universalist Parish, still stands on that spot. As for the Unitarian congregation, its first church was built in 1872. The church served the congregation well until 1928. However, in that year, the congregation decided that the facility needed either substantial refurbishment or replacement. With the impetus gained from a generous donation by member Frederick Bowden, the decision was made to erect a new church, which became our present facility. The old building was demolished and the present structure was built and dedicated in 1937. During the ministry of the Reverend Harold Shelley, the minister’s study, the church office, and a large classroom on the basement level were added to the structure. The construction was financed by previous bequests.

Two anecdotes from the history of the congregations are worth repeating. During the construction of the first Universalist church, one minister of a more conservative denomination, remarked to his congregation that he had observed the spire of the new church rising not far away, but doubted that it was pointed towards heaven. While the Universalist church was apparently too liberal for those such as this minister, the Unitarian church at one time was not liberal enough for some, as is illustrated by the story about Reverend Joseph Weeks. Rev. Weeks was called by the Unitarian congregation in 1889, but not long after began to feel that the congregation was too conservative. As a result, he began to support the establishment of a more liberal church in the Highlands section of Melrose, which survived for 10 years. Naturally, Rev. Weeks’ ministry with the Unitarian congregation ended rather prematurely.

The affinity between the Unitarian and Universalist denominations was recognized early on by both Melrose congregations and they considered merging in 1918 and 1935. Following the merger of the Unitarian and Universalist national associations it was apparent that there were no longer any doctrinal differences to keep the churches apart. In the fall of 1973 the president of one board sent a letter to the other board recommending that a joint study committee be formed to explore the possibility of a merger. Meeting weekly, the committee reported favorably to each congregation that a merger should be initiated. In May of 1974 the formal merger took place.

On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Universalist Parish, which was celebrated just before the merger, the Reverend David B. Loomis reflected on the history of that church and expressed a sentiment, which is still true in our congregation today and which cannot be accurately reflected in any history. “We are a church, not of wood and brick, a church not built by hands, but with a loyal, sacrificing spirit of love and friendship and memories of staunch supporters.”

Past Ministers

Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church (1974 - Present)

Unitarian Church of Melrose (1950 - 1974)

Rev. Addison E. Steeves 1967-1974 Called to Melrose UU Church
Rev. Peter Lee Scott 1962-1967 Resigned, called to Lexington church, KY
Rev. J. Arnold Meardon 1958-1962 Resigned Graduate Studies, Brown U.
Rev. Harold K. Shelley 1954-1957 Resigned, Exec Sec, South NE Council Unitarian Churches
Rev. Kendrick R. Lee 1951-1954 Resigned, Chaplain State Hospital, Trenton, NJ
Rev. Chadbourne A. Springs 1942-1950 Resigned, called to East Shore Church, Bellevue, WA

Universalist Church of Melrose (1950 - 1974)

Rev. David B. Loomis 1966-1974 Resigned, called to Chaplain State Hospital, Tewksbury, MA
Rev. Albert F. Ziegler 1959-1965 Resigned
Rev. Dr. L.H. Miller 1954-1959 Resigned
Rev. Leslie C. Nichols 1936-1954 Resigned