Iconic Gloucester church celebrates its 200th anniversary

Gloucester Daily Times
September 16, 2005

By Janelle Randazza
Times Correspondent


The church that was instrumental in the separation of church and state and a strident voice in both women' rights and the abolitionist movement will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its historic meetinghouse Sunday.

Sept. 18 will mark the launch of a yearlong celebration, commemorating the historic Unitarian Meeting House on Middle Street. Organizers say the celebration is designed to honor one of Gloucester's most important architectural structures as well as commemorate the rich significance of Gloucester's Universalist congregation in America's religious and political history.

Formally and officially known as the Independent Christian Church Unitarian Universalist, the Universalist Church Meeting House is the home of the first Universalist Church congregation in America.

"The Independent Christian Church, Universalist, of Gloucester occupies a unique position in both the religious and political history of the United States," says John Hurley, director of information at the Unitarian Universalist Association in Boston.

When Gloucester residents formed the Universalist Church in 1779 under Rev. John Murray, followers refused to pay taxes to support the established church — which they did not attend — then known as the First Parish. The case was taken to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and in 1786 it was ruled that citizens of the commonwealth were not obligated to pay taxes to support churches they did not attend. The decision set a precedent for the separation of church and state and played an important role in the framing of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"This courageous stand of the early Gloucester Universalists helped create the notion of church-state separation and led to the vibrant religious pluralism that is a characteristic of our country today," says Hurley.

"The Universalist Church is based on thought, questioning and discussion," says Wendy Fitting, who has been pastor at the church for the past 16 years. "In Gloucester there is an acceptance of thoughts, beliefs and individuality that you would never see elsewhere in a city this size."

Fitting says she would like to think the long history of independent thought fostered by the founding Universalists has played a part in Gloucester's independent spirit.

"In Universalism there is no hell; all souls are ultimately saved," she says. This belief has historically stressed an individual's responsibility to use their talents to their greatest ability and to the greatest good of their community.

Judith Sargent Murray was one of the founding members of Gloucester's Universalist movement and was renowned for her work as a published writer, a supporter of her church and as an advocate for gender equality.

"Judith's work for female equality was completely tied to her Universalist beliefs; her faith completely permeated her life," says Bonnie Hurd Smith, director of the Judith Sargent Murray Society and co-chair of the Unitarian Universalist Women's Heritage Society. "Universalism informed her thoughts and her actions and she found that writing was one way in which she could have her voice heard."

Married to Rev. John Murray for 27 years, Sargent Murray used her writings to promote the ideals of the Universalist faith.

In addition, the Universalist church was a strong supporter of the abolitionist movement. Rev. Murray went to Congress to voice his opposition of slavery and Gloucester's congregation was one of the first organized institutions to condemn slavery. In 1785, Gloster Dalton, a free black man, was one of 85 charter signatories of the Gloucester Universalist Society.

"The Unitarian Church has always been one that is for all of the community; it is part of our history but it's also what we stand for now," Fitting says.

Fitting says she looks forward to the anniversary as being a welcoming celebration of the church's liberating beliefs and says the church has many discussions and lectures planned for the coming year. Most notably she looks forward to a discussion planned for January on the separation of church and state.

"It will be a very important discussion," she says. "People are feeling that basic right is being challenged right now."

Despite Universalism's importance in Gloucester's history, Fitting's hope for the anniversary celebration is simple:

"We want everyone to feel welcome and to know that this is 'Gloucester's church', but our main goal with this celebration is to just have fun."

Breakout

The Rev. Wendy Fitting leads a special worship Sunday at the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, in Gloucester, celebrating 200 years since the laying of the church building's cornerstone in September 1805. The ICC is located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets; all are welcome to attend. Worship begins at 10 a.m. David Bergeron, choir director and organist, has composed an original hymn for the occasion. Gordon Baird will inaugurate a "moment in Universalist history" which will be featured each week over the coming year. A program of celebration and brunch follows the worship service; all are welcome. Official proclamations will be presented by Gloucester Mayor John Bell, state Rep. Tony Verga, and state Sen. Bruce Tarr.