Portland in the mid-1800s was a growing frontier town with a population of 5,000 to 10,000 people and only a few churches catering to the community’s religious needs. By 1865, liberal Christians, primarily Unitarians and Universalists, began meeting in the home of Thomas Frazar as they found the existing churches too conservative. Despite their desire for a more liberal space, the idea of founding a Unitarian church didn’t gain traction until 1865 when a local minister launched harsh criticisms against liberal Christianity. This prompted the formation of the Ladies Sewing Society, which raised money for the church, marking the first step in creating Portland’s Unitarian congregation.

In 1866, Rev. Horatio Stebbins from San Francisco visited Portland and encouraged the liberal Christian community to start their own church. With pledges totaling $1,600 for the church and $1,700 for a minister’s salary, the congregation was officially founded, becoming the second Unitarian congregation in the West. Construction of the first chapel began soon after, and the church sought a minister. Rev. Dr. Thomas Lamb Eliot, who arrived in Portland in December 1867, became the first minister. Under his leadership, the church not only grew in membership but also played a key role in founding organizations like the Oregon Humane Society and Reed College, cementing the church’s influence in Portland’s progressive movement.

The church continued to grow and, in 1879, completed a second building, though it suffered significant damage in a fire in 1891. The church, now 25 years old, faced difficult times after the Panic of 1893, and Rev. Earl Morse Wilbur stepped in to help guide the congregation. Wilbur, a historian of Unitarianism, was instrumental in preserving the church’s early history. The church also faced challenges during the Great Depression, but by 1964, its religious education program had grown significantly, prompting a need for expanded space. In 1965, despite challenges and a fire that severely damaged the building, the church decided to rebuild and stay downtown, ensuring the preservation of its historical legacy.

In the 1970s, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Alan Deale, the church expanded its property, purchasing the adjacent Nazarene Church in 1979 to provide additional space for services. The new sanctuary, completed in 1924, was named the Church of Our Father and remained the primary place of worship until 1993. Over time, the church continued to build on its tradition of social justice, particularly under Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell in the 1990s, who helped champion progressive causes such as LGBTQ+ rights and homelessness. Under her leadership, the congregation grew from 650 to 1,600 members, solidifying the church’s role in Portland’s social fabric.

In the 2000s, the church continued to evolve with the hiring of several key ministers, including Rev. Bill Sinkford, who served from 2010 to 2022. A former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Sinkford’s leadership reflected his commitment to equality and social justice. In 2022, Rev. Alison Miller was called as the new Senior Minister, marking another chapter in the church’s growth. Additionally, the Buchan Building, completed in 2007 through generous donations, became the center of Religious Education and also hosts various community functions, including a Day Center for homeless families, reflecting the church’s ongoing commitment to social justice and community service.

Read a more detailed history here, or check out Toward the Beloved Community by Cindy Cumfer, an award-winning book about the history of our church from 1865 through 2015.

To learn more about Universalism in Oregon, read Cynthia Cumfer’s essay here.