What Do Unitarian Universalists Believe?
As mentioned on the Who We Are page, Unitarian Universalism is free of religious dogma, which means that we encourage people to search out truth and meaning according to one's own conscience (See our 5th principle, below). With that in mind, the following Principles and Sources of wisdom can be seen as indicative of our general religious positions, though they are not binding for anyone.
The seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources:
To learn more about Unitarian Universalism, please visit the Unitarian Universalist Association web page and our MidAmerica Region web page.
The seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources:
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
- Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
- Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
To learn more about Unitarian Universalism, please visit the Unitarian Universalist Association web page and our MidAmerica Region web page.
A Brief History of Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church
The first Unitarians to arrive in Detroit and establish a church arrived in the 1860s with the railroad. They were Bostonians working for that railroad who brought their faith and families to Detroit and settled here, establishing a church on Woodward Avenue. Unfortunately, the widening of Woodward Avenue In 1932 displaced the Unitarians from their church home.
The first Universalists in Detroit built and dedicated the First Universalist Church in 1916. They invited the "homeless" Unitarians to temporarily share their church building, and in 1934, the two congregations merged as the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit under the ministry of Dr. Augustus Reccord. This church still exists today and was our "parent" church.
Later in the 1930s several of the UU families commuting to the downtown church from Grosse Pointe dreamed of establishing a church nearer home. Dr. Reccord was their supporter and consultant. He also provided Sunday services twice a month at various locations until a permanent minister could be called. On March 19, 1939 some 66 men and women signed a covenant founding the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church. The group met at the Alger House, now known as the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The congregation quickly outgrew that space, so funds were raised and plans were prepared to build a church. World War II brought a ban on all construction projects in 1943, so a large home known as the Carter House was converted into our first permanent church home.
In 1963, the property we currently occupy was purchased, and groundbreaking for our church facility occurred in 1964. We have a lovely building on pleasing grounds that serves our spiritual and congregational life well. It is considered a local architectural landmark. It also happens to be the only church within the borders of the City of Grosse Pointe.
We have been served by eight ministers, six settled and 3 interims, including our current consulting minister Rev. Alex Riegel. It is safe to say our congregation has been regarded by members and the community at large as a beacon of liberal religion and an oasis in what historically has been a very conservative area. A telling story of this "reputation" is that during construction of our church some witty, perhaps disgruntled, neighbor changed the sign from saying "future home of the Unitarians" to "Lunitarians!"
Our congregation grew to over 250 members in the sixties and was active in the civil rights movement, bringing Dr. Martin Luther King to speak here amidst significant controversy. Like many UU churches, we suffered painful divisions over the Vietnam war. As a result we seek to engage in ethical action and distinguish that from the political. Our congregation remains active in our larger community, engaging in social justice on a local level.
The original Affirmation of of our Grosse Pointe Church,
signed by the founding members on March 19, 1939.
We unite as a liberal church
for the purpose of creating
a church home for ourselves,
and our children,
to which we can welcome all of like spirit,
and from which we can send out
an enlightening and uplifting influence
into the world.
We unite as a liberal church
We believe in and would be guided by
the universal principles of religion and morality
as interpreted by the growing knowledge
and conscience of mankind.
We unite as a liberal church
Standing on this basis,
we invite to our fellowship
all who sympathize with our ideas,
who are helped by our worship,
or who wish to work with us
in promoting human welfare.
for the purpose of creating
a church home for ourselves,
and our children,
to which we can welcome all of like spirit,
and from which we can send out
an enlightening and uplifting influence
into the world.
We unite as a liberal church
We believe in and would be guided by
the universal principles of religion and morality
as interpreted by the growing knowledge
and conscience of mankind.
We unite as a liberal church
Standing on this basis,
we invite to our fellowship
all who sympathize with our ideas,
who are helped by our worship,
or who wish to work with us
in promoting human welfare.
Our Ministerial History
Merrill Otis Bates - The Reverend Mr. Bates was the first permanent Minister hired by the GPUC. He served our church from September 1939 until June 1950. Bates was a progressive who was actively involved in community action during his time serving our church. Departure due to change of career choice (left the ministry).
Born: Clinton, MA Ordained: November 15, 1936 in Laconia, NH Died: February 12, 1987 Served: Grosse Pointe, MI (1939-50) |
William D. Hammond - By all accounts, the Rev. Hammond was the right person at the right time for GPUC. Congregants were meeting in the Carter House, a large former private residence on Rathbone at Jefferson when he arrived. His thoughtful sermons and caring ministry grew our membership to 260 by 1958. Rev. Hammond saw the membership through the trials of building a new church, our current home, to handle the crowds. During his tenure, our church was advertised as providing “Religion for the Modern Thinker”. Departure due to personal issues that interfered with performance of duties.
Born: December 17, 1915 in Kalamazoo, MI Ordained: May 7, 1939 in Boone County, MO Died: November 17, 2005 in Littleton, MA Served Grosse Pointe, Mi. (1950 - 64) |
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Robert Wilde Lawson - Rev. Lawson served as interim minister in 1965.
Born: September 30, 1910 in Beverly, MA Ordained: January 26, 1941 in Reading, MA Died: April 24, 1981 Served: Grosse Pointe, Mi. (1965) |
Harry Chamberlain Meserve -Dr. Meserve had worked on both east and west coasts, both in and out of the ministry. As result, he brought a cosmopolitan ministry to Grosse Pointe at a time of change. He championed open housing and came out strongly against the Vietnam War. Church members proudly remember that as President of the Grosse Pointe Human Relations Council, Meserve was able to bring Martin Luther King to the area just 3 weeks before he was killed in Memphis. While at GPUC, Dr. Meserve was a member of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Detroit American Civil Liberties Union, the Detroit Urban League and a member of the executive committee of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association. Departure due to retirement from active ministry.
Born: September 7, 1914 in Rye, NY Ordained: October 5, 1938 in Cohasset, MA Died: November 8, 2000 in Southwest Harbor, ME Served: Grosse Pointe, Mi. (1965 - 74) |
Fred Firth Campbell - Rev. Campbell worked with his Interfaith colleagues to establish resources for needy families. He enjoyed working with his hands, and fashioned the wood chalice with the green background which still graces our church. Rev. Campbell became an expert in interim ministry after he left his service to our church. Departure mutually agreed upon as best for both Rev. Campbell and the church.
Born: October 31, 1936 in Houston, TX Ordained: June 15, 1967 in Tulsa, OK Served: Grosse Pointe, Mi. (1975 - 82) |
Brooks Robert Walker -The Reverend Mr. Brooks Walker brought a breath of fresh air as interim minister to GPUC. He was respected and appreciated and did his job well. He was a good manager and recognized that “interim is what I do, what I enjoy”. He jokingly told the Rev. John Corrado that his avocation was the ministry and his vocation was music, as he enjoyed learning to play a wide variety of instruments.
Born: January 2, 1935 in Gunnison, CO Ordained: January 10, 1960 in Plandome, NY Died: August 30, 1986 (no location: possibly Kalamazoo since died shortly after completing interim there) Served: Grosse Pointe, Mi. (1982 - 84) |
John Corrado -AB John Carroll University 1963, BD Starr King 1966; Received fellowship 2/14/1966. Named Minister Emeritus of Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church, June, 2009.
Rev. Corrado served this congregation for 25 years, making him the only sitting minister many of us had ever known. He masterfully guided us through the trials, tribulations and joys that any congregation experiences as it matures. He left us with countless memories and a priceless legacy of stability and fellowship. The members of and visitors to GPUC during Rev. Corrado’s extraordinary ministry were often treated to music written and performed by him. “Voice Still and Small” “We Will Keep a Place for You”, and “Weaving”, for examples, all became familiar parts of services. He was named “ Minister Emeritus” upon his retirement in the spring of 2009. Departure due to retirement. Born: December 11, 1940 in Bedford, OH Ordained: October 16, 1966 in Charleston, WV Served: Grosse Pointe, Mi. (1984 - 2009) |