1866 – John Pierpont, a Unitarian minister and abolitionist, died at age 81.First a lawyer and then a businessman, he became Unitarian, studied for the ministry, and settled at Hollis Street Church in Boston. In 1845, the church dismissed Pierpont for preaching abolitionism, a cause he continued to champion. Read more about John Pierpont at: … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 27
1949 – Clarence Russell Skinner, a Universalist leader, died at age 68. He was a professor of applied Christianity and dean of Crane Theological School, as well as a secretary of the Universalist Service Commision. A pacifist, Skinner wrote the Universalist Statement of Social Principles. Read more about Clarence Russell Skinner at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 26
1911 – Kenneth Leo Patton was born in Three Oaks, Michigan. He was a Unitarian minister in Madison, Wisconsin, from 1942 to 1948 and served in the Charles Street Meeting House (Universalist) in Boston from 1949 to 1964. A leading influence in Universalism, he wrote A Religion for One World, and helped edit Hymns for … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 25
1862 – Samuel Atkins Eliot was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. From an accomplished Boston family, he began his ministry in 1889 with pastorates in Seattle, Washington and Denver, Colorado. In 1893, he traveled back east to take up a ministry in Brooklyn, New York. In 1898 he became secretary of the American Unitarian Association then … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 24
1623 – Stanisław Lubieniecki was born in Rakow, Poland. He was a learned Polish knight but relinquished his place at court to become a Unitarian minister. As Polish civil magistrates began their persecution of his religion, Lubieniecki devoted many years and much of his money to finding safe havens for his parishioners. He also created … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 23
1920 – Unitarian science fiction writer Ray Bradbury was born in Waukegan, Illinois. His work combined social and technological criticism with fantasy. Among his better-known books are The Martian Chronicles, Fahrenheit 451, Dandelion Wine, and Something Wicked This Way Comes. Read more about Ray Bradbury at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the digital library of Unitarian Universalism. The post … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 22
1811 – Henry Bergh was born. He was the son of a wealthy shipbuilder and followed in his father’s business. He became a Unitarian under the ministry of Henry Whitney Bellows in New York, and became interested in the treatment of animals, which he often saw abused on the streets. He persuaded the New York … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 21
1828 – The Brahmo Samaj, a movement in Hindu similar to Unitarianism, held its first worship meeting. Many Indian historians consider its founder, Rajah Rahmmohun, to be the “father of modern India.” Read a biography of poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was also influenced by the Brahmo Samaj. The post August 20 first appeared on Harvard Square … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 20
1839 – Aaron Bancroft, a Unitarian Christian minister and the first president of the American Unitarian Association, died at age 84. Despite a Calvinist upbringing, he decided on liberal ministry and was invited to candidate at First Parish (Unitarian) in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he failed to secure sufficient votes. The liberal minority withdrew to worship … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 19
1831 – The Massachusetts Association of Universal Restorationists was formed. Its profession of faith included belief in retribution beyond death before reconciliation with God. It caused a schism in the Universalist movement. The terms Restorationist and Universalist were sometimes used interchangeably. The Restorationists included Adin Ballou. Read more about Adin Ballou. at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History August 18
