The Elgin Courier News
A Sun-Times News Group Publication
Originally Published September 2, 2006
 
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin
 
by Michael J Murschel
 
Congregation:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin
 
Denomination:
Unitarian Universalist Church (UUC)
 
Address:
39w830 Highland Ave
Elgin, Illinois
 
Telephone:
847-888-0668
 
Website:
www.uuce.org <http://www.uuce.org/> 
 
Worship Schedule:
Sunday: 10:45 a.m.
 Services are Podcast every Sunday
 
Clergy:
The Reverend Daniel Brosier
 
Membership:
160
 
 
From the early beginnings of community in Elgin, the Unitarian Universalist
Church (UUC) has been a constant presence. Many area residents may be
familiar with the unique, round-shaped church building on the corner of
Villa and DuPage in downtown Elgin. Though vacant as a church for decades
now, it is a placeholder of the heritage, both sacred and secular, or the
city.
 
But while that church building is vacant, the Unitarian Universalist
community in the area is thriving, having transplanted itself successfully
to a rural site west of Elgin on Highland Avenue. This positions it in
perfect alignment with the future growth of the area, as well as realigning
it with its heritage as a major religious presence in this nation and the
wide ranging accommodation it provides for believers.
 
This wide ranging spectrum of belief is a hallmark of Unitarian
Universalism.
 
"Diversity is the future of this nation and we have to embrace and celebrate
that," the Rev. Brosier commented. "Unitarian Universalism encourages people
to respect and honor all the faiths of the world, and hopefully that will
lead to dialogue and working together to make a difference in the world."
 
"A lot of religions have two sets of beliefs:" the Rev. Brosier explained;
"theological and relational. Theological beliefs concern what happens after
you die, and relational beliefs focus on how we should treat each other in
the here and now.
 
"Unitarian Universalists don't have a set of theological beliefs that unite
them in a common theology," he said, "but rather are encouraged to go out
and find a theology that will hold them in a loving relationship. For us, it
is our relational beliefs that unite us.
 
"This congregation is a beacon for people of different beliefs to come
together," He added, "to find community and a place to believe in their own
way, and yet be in relationship with others even though their beliefs may
vary.
 
"Even without a conventional theology," continued the Rev. Brosier, "people
still have a hunger for religious issues that is most often satisfied in a
community, rather than being isolated.
 
"Community is essential for people," he continued, "because that is where
growth takes place and they learn to live a more full and loving life. Most
religions find this and community is very important to those believers. And
so belief comes full circle to community."
 
Sometimes the essence of a community is reflected in its architecture, and
this is certainly the case with this congregation. Tracing its roots in the
Elgin community back to the liberal religious movement as it swept through
early 19th century America, it manifested itself in the founding of the
First Free Christian Congregation of Elgin in 1846. When the National Watch
Company came to Elgin from Waltham, Massachusetts in 1866, it brought with
it the spirit of Unitarianism and the construction of Unity Hall.
Eventually, the round church in Elgin's near east downtown area was built
and Unity Hall became its education wing.
 
In reality, the round church building, when viewed from the air, is in the
shape of a pocket watch, with the tower as the stem, the balcony n the
interior as the hinge of the watch case, and the nave and sanctuary as the
dial. Appropriate, as it was founded by several of the principal trustees of
the Elgin Watch Company.
 
For years, this was the incubator for other newly arrived congregations in
the area, until they could erect their own houses of worship. In the late
1970's the building suffered major fire damage and the congregation
relocated to a farm on Randall Road just north of Elgin. Services were held
in the brick farm house there, but the congregation quickly outgrew that
space.
 
Finally, in 1994, the congregation purchased its current site on Highland
Avenue and the circa 1888 barn from the farm was dismantled and re-erected
as the church on the new property. That the barn was used for this brings
this congregation full circle in the American experience of Unitarian
Universalism: the first services of the denomination in the 18th century
were held in a barn on the east coast.
 
The structure fits naturally into its rural setting. The first floor holds a
spacious fellowship room, kitchen, and large entry way. The worship center
itself is on the second floor and is open and inviting. The third floor has
classroom and a gallery area.
 
The grounds surrounding the barn are also open and filled with native
plantings. Central to the landscaping is the Earth-Wisdom labyrinth, a
93-foot diameter local field stone-lined Chartres-style labyrinth, open to
the public during the daylight hours. Its presence reflects the openness and
questing spirit that has always been part of Unitarian Universalism.
 
 "What we hope for here," said the Rev. Brosier, "is a spiritually rich
place for people. It really depends on what they bring into this moment in
time."
 
The Elgin congregation supports a host of social concerns committees and is
active across a wide range of interests:
 
Quilting
Prairie Fest
Ethnic Dinners
Circle Suppers
Book Discussion Groups
Bell Choirs
Children's Religious Education
Adult Religious Education
Environmental groups
Educational reform
Green Congregation
Larkin Center
CROP Walk
Food Pantry for the Crisis Center Pantry
Special fundraising for disaster relief
 
 
 
-MJM-