The Story of Our Church

In November 1962, nine people from the northern suburbs of Milwaukee organized the North Shore Unitarian Fellowship. They adopted by-laws and voted to apply to the Unitarian Universalist Association for a charter. The charter was granted, and the nine founding members signed the first membership book on Jan. 11, 1963. This was the formal beginning of today's Unitarian Church North.

Initially, the new congregation met in members' homes. By November 1963, the fellowship had attracted enough new members and friends that space was rented for services and other activities at the Country Day School in Whitefish Bay. A move was made to the Mequon Woman's Club in 1966, and in 1969, a vote was taken to officially change the name to Unitarian Church North. By the mid 1970s, membership had grown to 64 adults, with 50 children registered in the religious education program. The first minister, the Rev. Dale Robison, was called in 1976. Early activities included social gatherings, field trips, canoeing, bicycling, and theater. The June picnic was established as a tradition early in our history. Many early members are memorialized in objects in the meeting room-the chalice, covenant, and artwork. Some are still active members of the church. Brent Smith became our second full time minister in 1983, and in 1984 the first Director of Religious Education joined the staff.

In 2006 our membership stands at about 225 adults, with 100 children and youth registered in the Religious Education program. Trudy Mandel has served as the Director of Religious Education since 1990, and our present minister, Rev. Elena Rigg, was called by the church in 1998.