A brief history of the
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of Grand Traverse

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This Fellowship held its first Sunday meeting on May 12, 1964 at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan.  Three decades later, our modern "treasury" of curious, knowledgeable and caring members reflects the early spirit of two adventurous women.

MaryAnn Force of Traverse City and Janice Park, then of Suttons Bay, now of Kalamazoo, worked to shape a Fellowship that allowed a sense of religious heritage and social initiative for children and adults.

Initially, the children were offered classes while the adults read and discussed sermons by Unitarian ministers. Noted local citizens, Fellowship members, and UUA program materials enhanced our Sunday gatherings.

Later, meetings expanded to include such prominent ministers and lecturers as Tracy Pullman, Frank Gentile and Dr. James Luther Adams of Harvard Divinity School.

After seventeen years passed, a lovely Greek Revival building in town became home for this growing religious community. Beginning in 1985, The Reverend David Armstrong became the minister one week each month as part of the Extension Ministry Program with the Big Rapids and Midland Fellowships.

The year of 1989 brought a trio of notable achievements. A move to the church at Fifth and Oak Streets provided seating for a growing Fellowship. A beautiful party at the City Opera House celebrated our 25th anniversary. And most importantly, in August we welcomed the arrival of accomplished The Rev. Emmy Lou Belcher as our first full-time minister.

Culminating three years of planning and fundraising, ground breaking for our new Fellowship building took place on September 13, 1992. We proudly moved in on May 23, 1993. The formal dedication of the Fellowship building was celebrated on September 12th. There were special guests, commissioned music performed by our member orchestra, a commissioned children's illustrated storybook, and two hundred and seventy people in attendance. Our signed membership for Autumn 1993 reached one hundred and seventy, with seventy children enrolled in the church school. By 1994 we had a staff of four (one full-time). Volunteers provided countless hours of additional support.

Sunday morning attendance compelled the beginning of a two-service schedule in the fall of 1994. We now have a fellowship of 252 members!   While exciting opportunities and challenges continue to delight this Fellowship, we remember a rich history of varied members and brilliant presentations.