1829 – Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford was born on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. Her friend Olympia Brown encouraged her to preach, and she became a licensed Universalist preacher. Ordained by the Hingham Universalist Church on February 19, 1868, Hanaford became the first woman ordained to the Universalist ministry in New England. The post June 2 … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History June 2

1579 – Francis Dávid, after debating George Blandrata over whether it was right to worship Christ, was brought to trial in Transylvania. He was sentenced to imprisonment in a nearby dungeon until his death, on November 15th, 1579. The post June 1 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the digital … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History June 1

1754 – John Eliot was born in Boston. He succeeded his father as minister of the New North Church in Boston, where he served until his death. He worked with his close friend Jeremy Belknap to found the Massachusetts Historical Society. His Biographical Dictionary (1804) was an important contribution to historical scholarship. He was one … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 31

1820 – William Ellery Channing organized and opened the Berry Street Conference in the vestry of the Federal Street Church in Boston. The Conference continues today as a distinguished lecture to close the Professional Days of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association on the eve of each General Assembly. Read more about William Ellery Channing. at: … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 30

1889 – Henry Wilder Foote, the minister of King’s Chapel (Unitarian) in Boston, died at age 50. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, he was a fine scholar and liturgist and served Unitarian churches in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Ohio before settling at Kings Chapel. He wrote numerous books on Unitarian history and edited Hymns of the … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 29

1655 – Unitarian John Biddle was freed from prison in England, having served six months for writing the Two-fold Catechism. “Two-fold” referred to his inclusion in the volume of a catechism for adults and a second one for children. The Two-fold Catechism advocated Unitarian doctrine, at that time a criminal offense in England. He was … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 28

1819 – Julia Ward Howe was born in New York City. She married Samuel Gridley Howe. A poet and lecturer, Howe became famous for writing the poem “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which was set to the tune of “John Brown’s Body” and became the theme song of the Union Army during the Civil War. … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 27

1806 – Joseph Workman was born in Dunmurry, Ireland. He was the main founder of the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto, Canada (1845). His brother, Benjamin, helped found the Unitarian Church in Montreal. He was a merchant in Toronto for 10 years. He established a hospital for poor immigrants and fought for free, nonsectarian yet … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 26

1803 – Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Emerson became the minister of Second Church (Unitarian) in Boston. Not satisfied as a minister, Emerson resigned after three years and moved to Concord, which remained his home for the rest of his life. His first book, Nature, appeared in 1836. He is best known … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 25

1944 – The Unitarian Church of the Larger Fellowship was formed to serve Unitarians who were not located near a Unitarian church. The American Unitarian Association provided it with sermons, literature, newsletters, and devotional material. It is now Unitarian Universalist. The post May 24 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History May 24