Our History
Just as our congregation is rich in diversity, so too is our history. Established in 1902, a small group of Lancastrians were seeking an alternative to orthodox Christianity. Its principal leaders were Milton T. Garvin, a merchant, civic leader, municipal reformer, and aggressive organizer; and Warren Rehm, a banker who was known as a dreamer and visionary intellectual. Other charter members included former Quakers, political liberals, feminists, socialists, and “mainliner” Christians frustrated by the dogma of their churches.
The church was designed by Cassius Emlen Urban in the style of a Norman-Gothic English country parish church. The interior of the church features open-beamed trusses, wrought iron chandeliers and English oak pews. When the structure was completed in 1909, Garvin began a 25 year campaign to fill the décor of the church with work of the finest art.
This art is manifested in wood carvings, copies of fine paintings, and magnificent cathedral glass windows, all of which express and symbolize Unitarian ideals. In 1972, the Unitarian Center was built next to the church and houses the church offices, the ministers’ study, church school rooms and Founders’ Hall. A cooperative nursery school also occupies part of the center. In 2000, a one million dollar renovation was completed to the entire church complex, which included modifications for accessibility to persons with disabilities.
Twenty-three ministers (including interim ministers) have served the UUCL since 1902. The UUCL is thoroughly democratic and governed by its members. All important matters of the church are decided by a vote of the members. The church operates through a structure of Policy Governance where an elected Board of Trustees creates and maintains the policies of the church and creates the annual visions and strategic goals for the church. The Operations Team, consisting of the Ministers and Church Administrator oversee the day-to-day operations of the church while the Program Leadership Team, made up of volunteers works with all of the program teams in the church to calendar and ensure that programming is consistent with the annual visions and goals for the church and that resources are appropriately allocated to meet these visions and goals.
The work of the church is supported by the generous financial pledges and contributions of time and talent from both members and friends.
