September 2008

Our word minister is derived from the Latin, meaning serve (The Oxford Concise Dictionary, 5^th ed.) During the 170 years of its existence, our congregation has been served by 28 settled ministers, 16 short-term ministers, 4 interim ministers, 2 ministerial interns, and, in the early days, by an unknown number of itinerant Universalist preachers. Many of our settled ministers were young, often staying only a few years before moving on to larger congregations, more responsible positions, or careers outside the ministry. Others were mature adults who left behind an earlier career to enter the ministry. Only one, Joseph Kinney, died while serving our congregation.

The first 7 of our settled ministers were Universalists; the last 21 have been Unitarians or, since 1961, Unitarian Universalists. Four have been women (Revs. Chapin, Gordon, Tonozzi, and Haley). To the best of our knowledge, Thomas Mikelson has been the only native Iowan. William Brattain’s one year was the shortest stay of any settled minister; while Evans Worthley had the longest tenure, retiring after 21 years to become our only Minister Emeritus.

Our ministers often played a role in the erection or refurbishing of our buildings. In order to raise funds to build our first church, A.R. Gardiner traveled to the East in 1843, spending $290.93¼, and collecting $1402.33 from Universalist congregations and donors who included Horace Greeley and P.T. Barnum. In 1908, Robert Loring adapted the design for and supervised the building of our present home, at 10 South Gilbert Street. Fritz Hudson encouraged the effort to make our buildings both safer and more accessible to those with disabilities, adding two new entrances, a wheelchair lift, and an elevator.

Many of our ministers personally influenced the larger community with their scholarship, sermons, and programs. I.M. Westfall was “a good scholar and a first class controversialist, which gave him great power when debating differences of doctrine with ministers of other denominations. Oscar Clute instituted a “vigorous social life, which included dancing, cards, and a popular Shakespeare Club. While other churches in town, and especially the Professor of Applied Religion at the University of Iowa, worried about our denomination’s ideas and influence, Clute sent a written invitation to every single university student to attend his services. Duren J.H. Ward, an anthropologist, studied the Meswaki, recording their language, stories, and images during an extended stay at their settlement.

Several of our ministers influenced the congregation and community through social action. Eleanor Gordon was actively involved in the women’s rights movement early in the 20^th century. Franklin Doan was well known for his pacifism. Some believe Rev. Doan was the first Unitarian minister to use the term humanism. Arthur Weatherly raised the social consciousness of our congregation through his devotion to social concerns. The Unitarian denomination later honored him as an “outstanding minister  in  the  field  of  social justice,  and the UUA now awards the John Haynes Holmes -  Arthur Weatherly Award to persons for "distinguished service in the cause of social justice.

Evans Worthley was director of the County Re-employment Office and local chairman of the American Overseas Aid - United Nations Appeal for Children campaign. He also fought segregation, persuading local restaurants to serve African Americans. Al Henriksen accompanied African American college students to local barbershops that practiced segregation. Bill Weir helped found Iowa City’s Community Mental Health Center and participated in the Freedom March in Selma, Alabama. Thomas Mikelson lectured university classes, presented workshops, and served on the boards of the Crisis Center, United Action for Youth, and the Iowa Civil Liberties Union.

Some ministers focused special attention on the education and development of young people. H.S. Marble, who was especially interested in the religious education of children, instituted a system of “merit cards for young people. Charles M. Perry promoted the Young People’s Religious Union (YPRU). Al Henriksen fostered the development of the religious education program and energetically supported the Fireside Club for college students. During Rev. Henriksen’s ministry, 20% of our congregation members were college students.

Though often poorly paid, at times our ministers provided financial assistance for the congregation. In the early days, the congregation paid C.S. Bailey $100 plus board to preach for one year. Robert Loring built the parsonage at 10 S. Gilbert using $3,000 remaining after the current society building was finished, even though the con-gregation told him to use the money for a trip or whatever he wanted.

The Worthley family took in roomers and boarders to supplement their income. Al Henriksen helped paint the building. Thomas Mikelson agreed to begin as a part-time minister when the congregation could not afford to pay a full-time salary. Fritz Hudson used money paid to him for conducting weddings and memorial services to help people who came to the society for assistance.

Well-educated and articulate, our ministers have delivered memorable sermons and authored articles and books. At least three were hymnists: Oscar Clute wrote “O Love of God Most Full”; Vincent Brown Silliman wrote “Morning, So Fair to See," "One World," and "Faith of the Larger Liberty"; and Thomas Mikelson wrote “Wake Now My Senses" in honor of the installation of Charity Rowley as Minister of Religious Education in Arlington, Massachusetts.

In recent years, our denomination and our congregation have moved to create a shared ministry, relying on the ministerial abilities of both a professional paid minister and trained lay volunteers from the congregation. Nancy Haley did much to incorporate this approach into the ministry of UUSIC.

Most recently, last month we welcomed Benjamin Maucere, who will be serving our congregation for two years as our interim minister.

Parade of Ministers to be Revisited on Sunday, September 21, 2008
Jeanette Carter

UUSIC historical resources available at the
State Historical Society of Iowa.