A CONGREGATIONS JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: A BRIEF HISTORY

Compiled by Settled Ministry Search Committee, June 2020

INTRODUCTION

This timeline lists significant events in the history of our church, from its origin in 1957 through the summer of 2020. Our history records growth and development from a small satellite campus to our current position as the largest UU congregation in Louisville.

BEGINNINGS

Our church began as a satellite meeting place for First Unitarian Church of Louisville, but was soon chartered as Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church. In its early years, TJUC established an identity in the community as a congregation dedicated to supporting civil rights. Our congregation’s support for the arts also became apparent in our early years. In the decade of the seventies, the church experienced serious setbacks, which required several years for recovery.

1957

First Unitarian Church of Louisville buys over nine acres on Old Brownsboro Road to establish a satellite church, recognizing Metro Louisville’s demographic shift to the suburbs. Sunday services began in the farmhouse, which would be called the Suburban Chapel of the First Unitarian Church of Louisville.

1960s 

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church is chartered by the American Unitarian Association in 1961. A congregational resolution calls for racial integration of Louisville businesses. TJ’s congregation becomes publicly identified with the Civil Rights Movement after our first minister Rev. Carl Ulrich, recently graduated from Starr King School, travels along with several members to Selma, Alabama following the murder of Rev. James Reeb.

1964

With a new building, new minister, and growing membership, TJ ‘settles into becoming a church’ in the words of Lisa Austin’s history.

1969 

Art in the Arbor, a juried outdoor art show hosted on our grounds, is launched to support local craftspeople and artists, and to raise funds for the church. This event grew over time to become a well-attended annual spring celebration of the Arts for the Louisville community.

1973

Rev. Reid Bush becomes TJ’s fourth minister.

1977

After it is learned that Rev. Bush had engaged in an extramarital affair with a congregant, he becomes what many recollect as a ‘polarizing presence’ at TJ. He eventually resigns, but the damage is done. The membership drops from about 80 members to 50 or less, and TJ experiences serious financial difficulties. There is talk of closing the doors, but the Board votes to stay open, and remaining members resolve to rebuild the congregation. It is nearly a decade before TJ is in a position to call another full-time minister.

MIDDLE YEARS

Beginning in the late 1980’s, TJ experienced an era of congregational growth. Rev. Elwood Sturtevant was installed as TJ’s settled minister in 1993 after beginning his Extension Ministry in 1987 when TJUC had 64 members, 25 children, and a budget of $39,997. The work of the church continued with the development of our covenant, the Mabel Weeter Memorial Garden, the launch of Winter Fair, a Capital Fund Drive for building expansion and a congregational vote supporting the Fairness Campaign.

Evaluation of proposals to sell, move, or keep our present property was a pivotal decision in our history. Over several years, after many meetings and discussions of various options, a survey was taken and 83% responded that they wanted TJ to stay at its current location. The church accepted a local business’ offer to buy 1.5 acres at the front of our property on Brownsboro Road. As Ann Adamek said, “We hated giving up our beautiful entryway to our church, but it allowed us to preserve our ‘oasis’ of woods in the midst of suburbia.”

1987  

Rev. Elwood Sturtevant begins Extension Ministry. TJUC has 64 members, 25 children, and a budget of $39,997.

1988

A choir combining men’s and women’s voices is formed.

1989

TJUC adopts its covenant. The Mabel Weeter Memorial Garden is dedicated. TJUC becomes the first organization in Kentucky to offer a public showing of the film, “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

1990 

TJ joins its neighbors in voicing concerns about a large-scale multi-family and commercial construction project proposed for property adjacent to the church. The rezoning plan is defeated after public meetings at TJ.

TJ, along with the UUA, the Presbyterian Church, and the United Church of Christ becomes a “friend of the court” in a case involving the constitutionality of Kentucky’s sodomy law.

TJUC is experiencing significant growth in membership. Seventy-one children and youth are enrolled in religious education programs. We are outgrowing our facility, utilizing all available space including the carport behind the farmhouse for Sunday morning programming.

1991  

A capital fund drive for building expansion is authorized. Winter Fair is created, chiefly by Diana Fulner.

1992

TJUC receives an Ohio Valley UU District Chalice Lighters grant for its building expansion.

1993

A New Classroom wing is dedicated. Rev. Sturtevant is installed as our settled minister.

1994

The TJUC Endowment Fund is created to fund TJ projects such as power-assist accessible main entrance doors.

1995

TJUC votes at a congregational meeting to participate in the Fairness Campaign to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

1996

TJUC rejects $2.9 million offer for property from Home Depot. The congregational votes to maintain green space and the residential character of the neighborhood.

TJUC ENTERS A NEW MILLENNIUM

During the first decade of this century, significant physical plant improvements included the building of a new sanctuary and gathering space, a kitchen, nursery, courtyard, and playground. We also renovated space for a small chapel in the existing farmhouse. This period marked a period of growth and stability of staffing. Over the course of Rev. Sturtevant’s ministry, the church sponsored 6 interns/student ministers.

This period also saw a series of social justice projects that have come to define us locally and internationally. TJ sponsored four of the so-called “Lost Boys” of Sudan. We also started the Vihiga Orphanage Project, now called the Kenyan Education and AIDS Project (KEAP). For over 16 years members have built interventions for highly vulnerable children in the vicinity of Vihiga, Kenya. For this work, TJUC has been recognized by UUSC as Vision of Justice Banner Society and a Red Ribbon Congregation.

Throughout these years, our identity as a generous, compassionate, curious congregation has developed through trips to Kenya, the building of a $250,000 dormitory, individual sponsorship for the education and medical needs of children from kindergarten to college or trade school graduates. Two annual fundraisers that brought together TJ members and members of the greater community in an annual JAMBO celebration (which translates to “Hello” in Swahili), and the Spring Yard Sale.

The end of the decade marked our 50^th anniversary as a UU congregation.

2000

TJUC sponsors refugees. TJ becomes a Welcoming Congregation and begins a two- decade-long tradition of participating in the local Pride parade. TJ breaks ground on building projects (entrance, sanctuary, gathering space, kitchen, nursery, courtyard, and playground).

2001   

TJUC sponsors four of the so-called “Lost Boys” of the Sudan, and receives a second Chalice Lighters grant. We hired our first paid Music Director.

2002

The Dorzback Chapel in the farmhouse was dedicated to honor long-time member Ann Dorzback, who has made significant contributions to the culture of our congregation. TJUC adopts a new mission statement. Former Office Administrator Debbie Horvay returns to that position and continues to this day. TJUC’s new sanctuary is dedicated. TJUC Social Justice Committee (“SJC”) starts KEAP. The Church adopts new 5-year goals.

2003 

TJUC votes to appeal in court the approval of a shopping center next door on behalf of itself and the neighborhood. A proposal that TJUC endorse a statement opposing the Second Iraq war and calling for peaceful alternatives was defeated in a vote at the congregation’s annual meeting. This was a contentious issue resulting in the loss of several members.

2004 

TJUC is recognized by UUSC as the Vision of Justice Banner Society. The Church adopts new 5-year goals.

2005

TJUC member Debby Sublett is awarded the Social Action Leadership Award at General Assembly by the UUSC. UUA General Assembly approves Action of Immediate Witness, “Fair Trial for Dr. Sami Al-Arian” presented by TJUC member Dennis Neyman.

2006

TJUC, having won at the Kentucky Court of Appeals, reaches a settlement agreement with a new developer for a redesigned, mostly residential development next door.

TJUC celebrates Rev. Sturtevant’s 20th year and TJUC endowment exceeds $100,000 in a related campaign. Barb Friedland and Amy Lewis appointed acting co-DREs for children and youth, and Barb continues in that position to the present. Several TJUC members go to work at the orphanage (KEAP) in Vihiga, Kenya.

2007 

TJUC welcomes our fifth sponsored refugee family.

2008

Barb Friedland becomes Director of Religious Education, and continues in that capacity as Director of Lifespan Faith Engagement. TJUC receives Heartland District Charlotte Cowtan Award. The Endowment Committee begins funding projects to make the church more welcoming and ADA compliant.

2009 

TJUC is recognized as Kentucky’s first Green Sanctuary by UUA, and as a Red Ribbon Congregation by the UU Global AIDS Coalition for its work in Kenya. TJUC hosts a consciousness-raising event opposing weapons in churches.

2010

Thomas Jefferson Preschool closes, and although this represents a loss of rental funds it does free up space for our RE programs. TJUC receives “KIPPIE” Award from Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light for Green Sanctuary work. TJ is recognized as an “Empowering Congregation” by UUA. We celebrated our 50th Anniversary with a Founders Court Dedication.

A DECADE OF REDEDICATION

TJ’s past ten years have been characterized by long-term financial planning, a greater commitment to environmental responsibility, a reexamination of our mission and goals, and a period of transition following Rev. Sturtevant’s retirement.

2011

TJUC Endowment Fund Legacy Society created. The Hearth Room renovation is completed. Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, 1960 to 2010 is written by Lisa Austin.

2012 

A new refugee family is welcomed. Art in the Arbor ends, due to poor return on effort following several successive years of inclement weather.

2013

“Spirituality U” begins at TJUC in conjunction with Interfaith Paths to Peace. TJUC joins Compassionate Louisville as a partner organization. The TJ Women’s Choir is formed.

2014 

A new refugee family is welcomed. KEAP celebrates its 10th anniversary. The bank mortgage is paid in full. TJ is certified as “Cool Congregation” by Interfaith Power and Light.

2015 

Farmhouse exterior is renovated. Solar panels are installed with support from the TJUC Endowment Fund. A paved walkway to Memorial Garden is added. A new position for a Membership Coordinator is funded and staffed. Work on the 102″ x 110″ appliqued quilt entitled Together We Grow began, lead by Pat Sturtzel and Lori Sargent.

2016

TJUC recognized as the first “Best Performer – Worship Facility” in the Louisville “Kilowatt Crackdown.” The church receives a gift of an additional row of solar panels from Neyman/Ballard family, and raises funds for a third row. The Dorzback family donates “The Welcome Table.” TJUC adopts new five year goals at October congregational meeting.

2017

TJUC reports 225 members, church school enrollment of 40, and $360,534 in expenditures. The TJ barn burns to the ground; damage is covered by insurance.

2018 

Rev. Elwood Sturtevant retires after 31 years as minister at TJUC. TJUC members support a three year Capital Campaign to finance needed facility repairs, accessibility upgrades, and the formation of a Justice Center. Nearly $600,000 is pledged to the capital campaign. The Legacy Society (endowment fund) receives $150,000 newly pledged contributions, with a matching gift of $136,000 (thus far) from the UUA. In August, Rev. Jeff Liebmann begins an interim ministry. 

2019 

Rev. Liebmann leaves after one year. In August, Rev. Kathy Hurt begins a two-year interim ministry. The Legacy Society quilt debuted in June 2019, thanks to Pat Sturtzel and Lori Sargent, at a brunch to honor those who made an enduring donation to include our spiritual community in their estate plans. TJ membership begins to discuss name change given new scholarship about Thomas Jefferson’s stance on racial equality. Frank Richmond leaves his position as Music Director leading to a reorganization of the church’s music program. TJUC supports ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement with sign on Brownsboro Road and workshops by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). The minister and members witness for BLM in Louisville and Frankfort. The Social Justice Committee (SJC) of TJUC endorses The Salaam Network in its efforts to confront Islamophobia. TJ waives rental fee for its community meetings. TJ supports public meetings on immigrant justice, a Muslim women’s Group that studies a feminist interpretation of the Koran begins meeting at TJ led by Dr. Riffat Hassan. SJC and members participate in the Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Justice.

2020

The Justice Coordinating Council (JCC) hires Rev. Dawn Cooley as JCC Coordinator (part-time). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TJ stops all in-person gatherings and begins live-streaming Sunday services using the Zoom platform. Daily “Zoom” coffee chats are started to keep the congregation engaged and connected. Over 100 participants regularly attend Zoom Sunday services, including some new faces from outside of the Louisville area. In June, the church hires Catherine Calcamuggio Donner as Choir Director. TJ continues its ongoing congregational study of racial justice with a discussion class on the book White Fragility.

As we conclude this record in June 2020, our active membership is 218, with 31 enrolled in Children and Youth Religious Education.

TJ votes to change the name of the church to better align ourselves with our UU principles and our social justice goals.

2021

The congregation votes to change the church to All Peoples; Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The Newsletter, The Tapestry, is retired.

* The following sources were used to develop our timeline: Much of the historical record of TJ is revealed in the TJ History Outline compiled in 2018 by Rev. Elwood Sturtevant, our minister for 31 years and in Lisa Austin’s “A History of Our First 50 Years: 1960-2010”. In addition, our interim minister, Rev. Kathy Hurt, led a multiple week class to examine significant ‘Good, Bad, and Ugly’ episodes in our history and how members and friends responded that reveal a glimpse of our character and vision for our church. This overview attempts to combine and build upon these recollections.