Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, Records, 1894-

• Extent: 8.5 linear feet

Historical Note
It is believed that Unitarians and Universalists have lived in Amherst as early as the 1820s. They first organized in 1887 with the founding of the First Universalist Parish of Amherst, with Rev. James Harry Holden as its first minister. In 1893 a meetinghouse, designed by architects Loring and Phipps, was constructed on Pleasant Street. First Universalist disbanded circa 1897 after the Massachusetts General Universalist Convention withdrew its financial assistance. The building was bought by the American Unitarian Association in 1898, and in the same year the fellowship was incorporated as Unity Church of Amherst. Major physical plant changes were made in 1924-25 (prompted by an extensive fungus growth that had attacked the floors and beams of the building), and again in 1959. In 1961 the American Unitarian Association merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association. In 1962 the name of the local community was changed to The Unitarian Society of Amherst. In May 1985 it became known as The Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst.

See also: Amherst - First Universalist Church

File List

• Adult Education, 1981-1984
• American Unitarian Association - Correspondence, 1927-41
• Annual Reports, 1955-85
• Bulletins, 1936-39, 1943-45, 1948, 1956, 1958-1969,1973-88
• Bylaws
• Calendars, 1925, 1936-37, 1952-63, 1965-87
• Channing-Murray Club
• Clippings
• Committees
• Conn. Valley District of Unitarian Universalist Assoc., 1962-68
• Conn. Valley Associate Alliance of Women
• Conscientious Objectors
• Dedication, 1893
• Events - Amherst Common Forum, 1976-81
• Events - Attendance, 1922-35
• Events - Miscellaneous
• Events - Sharing Growth Program
• Events - Field Education Program
• Finances - Budget
• Finances - Canvassing, 1929-85
• Finances - Miscellaneous
• Finances- Treasurer
• Flower Fund
• General Alliance - Publications
• Gifts
• Guest Books, 1945-67, 1965-71, 1971-79
• History
• Incorporation, 1898 [oversize]
• Kindergarten & Preschool
• Laymen's League
• Meetinghouse - Windows
• Meetinghouse - Architecture
• Meetinghouse - Renovation
• Membership - Directories, 1956-84
• Membership - Eulogies & Memorial Services
• Membership - Miscellaneous
• Men's Club
• Merger
• Ministers - Ackley, Barton T.
• Ministers - Ackley, Barton T. - Sermons
• Ministers - Argow, Waldemar
• Ministers - Campbell, Jeffrey - Biographical
• Ministers - Campbell, Jeffrey - Correspondence
• Ministers - Campbell, Jeffrey - Installation
• Ministers - Campbell, Jeffrey - Miscellaneous
• Ministers - Campbell, Jeffrey - Photos
• Ministers - Chronology
• Ministers - Holt, Robert
• Ministers - Housing - Parsonage, Property
• Ministers - Ives, Henry G.
• Ministers - Jones, John Paul
• Ministers - Kimpel, Ben
• Ministers - Lauriat, Nat
• Ministers - Miscellaneous
• Ministers - Olds, Mason
• Ministers - Olds, Mason - marriages
• Ministers - Robins, Sidney S.
• Ministers - Taylor, John
• Ministers - Westwood, Arnold
• Ministers - Whittaker - Johns, Barbara
• Miscellaneous
• Missions
• Music
• Name Change, 1957-85
• Newsletters
• Officers/Committees
• Outreach
• Outreach - College
• Pamphlets
• Parish Meetings - Annual
• Parish Meetings - Miscellaneous
• Photographs
• Property - Amherst Redevelopment Authority
• Property - Deed
• Property - 1st National Stores
• Property - Miscellaneous
• Property - Mortgage
• Property - Parking Lot
• Property - Parsonage
• Publicity
• Radio Programs
• Records
• Meeting House Rededication, 10/4/1925
• Social Concerns
• Southern New England Unitarian Council
• Sunday School - Attendance, c. 1921-33
• Sunday School - Miscellaneous
• Surveys
• Trustees Meetings Minutes, 1923-86
• Trustees - Miscellaneous
• United Universalist Association
• Viet Nam - Surveys
• Woman's Alliance Records - Meetings, 1922-36, 1940-48
• Woman's Alliance Records - Meetings, 1948-66
• Woman's Alliance Records - Membership & Financial, 1919-40
• Woman's Alliance - Miscellaneous
• Woman's Alliance Yearbooks