Rev. Thomas Starr King

It is quite possible that Thomas Starr King, second minister of the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco, 1860 – 1864, and Western Unitarians’ great hero, looked across the Bay and envisioned a large and influential Unitarian church standing there beside a … read more.

The Wide Horizon’s Grander View – A Design for the Next 90 Years [as of 1981]

Our church, as it moves into the future, will begin to play a larger part in the denomination.  It will work to be a growing source of strength to Unitarian … read more.

1969 to Present

After Dr. Cope’s resignation at 62, the socio-political developments of the 1960’s continued, particularly in the city of Berkeley, where they seem to have led the rest of the country in timing and in degree. These events and developments resulted in considerable … read more.

Big Problems, Big Solutions, Big Progress

In 1946, the First Unitarian Church of Berkeley entered upon a 22-year period of opportunity transformed into achievement, big difficulties faced but surmounted. The area served by the church, beginning with the exodus from San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake … read more.

1915-1945, Two World Wars and the Great Depression Test Our Mettle

At the church’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, September 1916, Rev. C.S. Dutton of the San Francisco church titled his sermon “A Transfigured Church.” He was probably speaking of all Unitarian churches, the Berkeley church included. … read more.

1897 – 1915, We Build a Church, Enjoy Some “Prosperity”

“From the pits to a peak” might characterize this period of church history. The financial condition could be described as “desperate” for all of 1897 and well into 1898, and there was no minister from January … read more.

First six years

The First Unitarian Church of Berkeley was founded on Sunday, July 12, 1891, in space rented from the Berkeley Odd Fellows Temple, then on Shattuck Street, a couple of blocks south of its present location. Some have said that this first meeting was … read more.

By Merv Hasselmann, copyright © 1981

Background to the Founding

Stated in simplest terms, it might be said that histories are written to inspire and inform. It is hoped that readers of this history—present and potential members and friends of this church, particularly—will be rewarded with good measures … read more.