Early History of the UUFCC

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County has roots in a Unitarian student society at Pennsylvania State University and was officially founded as a Fellowship in 1950. In the early years of our Fellowship, services were held in the homes of members. On Sunday mornings members and friends experienced a broad range of topics.  There were also many organized activities that we still have today – Religious Education, book discussion groups, choir, and a lively coffee hour following the service.

In 1960, after a successful capital campaign, the Unitarian Chapel on Glenn Road in West College Heights was built and dedicated. Six years later, RE classes were first held in the newly constructed Religious Education Building two doors down from the Chapel. In 1970, after working with a lay minister, the congregation decided to shift toward ministerial leadership, and Rev. Richard Weston was called as our first settled minister in 1971. During his tenure, both local and international community activity flourished at UUFCC: The first daycare center in State College was organized by members and held in the RE Building, “Extended Families” were developed to promote community, and the congregation sponsored a project to aid Vietnamese refugees settling in the State College area. It was also during this time that the first Sunday Service “sharings” of personal beliefs and experiences became a frequent and well-loved part of the schedule.

Recent History – Accomplishments and Milestones

In the last 25 years, UUFCC has grown by leaps and bounds. Here are the highlights:

• By the 1990’s, we had outgrown our space. Members formed a building committee, held a successful capital campaign, purchased land, sold the Religious Education Building to the Korean Church of State College, and constructed our current building.
• Recognizing our commitment to music as a vital part of our spiritual lives, we hired a part-time Music Director.
• We became certified as a Welcoming Congregation.
• In 2000, we called Rev. Mark Hayes as our sixth settled minister.
• Recognizing the importance of religious education, the congregation expanded the Director position to full-time and
  included lifespan RE.
• In 2005, UUFCC developed a system of Hospitality Teams. These groups of members serve as greeters, ushers, coffee makers, and cleanup crews on Sunday mornings, creating an efficient and effective way to take care of all the volunteer aspects of morning service. Hospitality Teams also provide another opportunity for our members and friends to strengthen their sense of community
  within small groups.
• We established First Sunday Plate Collections. On the first Sunday of each month, the Sunday offering is earmarked for a predetermined local, national or international nonprofit organization.
• In 2009, the Social Action Committee organized the first social justice trip to Puerto Rico. Social justice trips now take place regularly.
• Recognizing the need to expand our building to meet our program needs, we held a successful capital campaign that raised over $1,215,6000 in pledges. In 2013, we dedicated our beautiful 6,500 square foot building addition.
• In 2015 after 15 years of successful ministry, Rev. Mark Hayes retired and was given Minister Emeritus status.
• To provide a more welcoming and attentive environment for newcomers, and to help members stay connected and involved, we created the position of Membership Coordinator in 2016.
• In 2017, the congregation joyfully welcomed Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel as its seventh called, settled minister.
• We became a certified Green Sanctuary Congregation in 2018, following stringent guidelines from the UUA.
  
• In 2018, Ashley Hamlin joined us as our current Director of Lifespan Religious Education.
• In 2021, Rev. Carol accepted a new position in another fellowship. In her four years as our minister, she brought us a series of new initiatives, including Blue Christmas Sunday, the celebration of Martin Luther King Day, events for young UU leaders in the region, and the Black Lives Matter banner dedication. As a Minister and Chief of Staff, she led the pandemic transition to an online and outdoor Fellowship during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The congregation continues to serve the residents of State College and Centre County, PA.  We are an open, nurturing community that celebrates spiritual diversity; a compassionate force for love and justice; and a leading voice of liberal faith in Central Pennsylvania.  UUFCC is proud to be one of over 1,100 independent member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association.