Here, in brief, are the highlights from the first century of the Unitarian Church in Edmonton...

~ Early 1900s ~

1912
A Unitarian Church is launched in Edmonton, with the help of Rev. A.J. Pineo and support from Unitarian headquarters in Boston. The first service is April 21, 1912 at the Blue Moon Tea House. In an announcement sent to the Edmonton Journal, Pineo says: “It is a church that stands for freedom in truth-seeking and maintains that religion should be as progressive as human thought.”  Initially called the First Liberal Church of Edmonton, the name is changed within months to First Unitarian Church of Edmonton. Pineo quits as minister in 1913. Prof. W.H. Alexander becomes the leading lay member of the church.

1914-16
Rev. Charles Francis Potter arrives to be the minister, and the church moves into its own building, built at 11128 84^th Avenue near the university, on land donated by supporter William McNamara. McNamara, a developer, becomes Edmonton mayor the same year.  However, the First World War causes rancour because Potter opposes Canada's involvement in the war, while Alexander is a vocal pro-war advocate. Potter leaves in 1916. Unitarian members include an alderman, a judge, and the editors of both daily newspapers.

Post-war
The church shrinks and becomes a fellowship, the First Unitarian Society. Alexander acts as lay minister from 1916 to 1934. Carl Storm serves as minister between 1934 and 1936. The church itself folds in 1937, affected by the Depression. Alexander leaves Edmonton for California in 1938.

~ During the 1950s ~

1951
Layman Dick Morton and five other people gather at the Seven Seas Restaurant to create an Edmonton Unitarian Fellowship. The fellowship holds services in the old Garneau Community Hall, the former church.

1953
Rev. Charles Eddis arrives to help create an Edmonton church, sponsored by the church headquarters in Boston. The group moves its services to rented space in the Odd Fellows Hall, on 103^rd Street just north of Jasper Ave.

May 1954
The church is officially reborn, with 67 founding families. 21 of them had been part of the fellowship started by Dick Morton. Eddis is invited to stay on as the minister.

1958
Eddis leaves and Rev. Bill Horton becomes the minister. The church building is an old Presbyterian Church on 110^th Avenue, bought in 1956.

~ During the 1960s ~

1962-65
A new religious education building opens on the site of the old Presbyterian Church in 1962. In 1965 the old church is replaced with a new building. Ruth Patrick and Michael Liknaitzky chair the committees that oversee the construction.

1965
Rev. Bob Wrigley becomes minister, and is a prominent local opponent of the Vietnam War. When he leaves, Rev. Rob Brownlie became minister in 1970.

~ During the 1970s ~

1973
First same-sex union at the church, performed by Rev. Rob Brownlie. By the end of 1984 he had performed more than 20.

1974-79
UCE coordinates a Uni-Art Festival, a one-day exhibition and sale of local art works. The festival was held annually.

1975
Percy Bailey, a former teacher and long-time Unitarian, dies and leaves his Glenora house to the church. It becomes the home of the Unitarian minister until 1983. In 1984 it is sold for $135,000. The money lets the church pay off its mortgage and leaves an extra $61,000 in the bank. It is the first time in nearly 30 years that the church is debt-free.

1978
Unitarians protest against anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant when she visits Edmonton.

~ During the 1980s ~

1982
Westwood Unitarian congregation begins as an offshoot of UCE, which has a growing membership of nearly 400. Two areas are considered for expansion – a south-side church or a St. Albert church. In the end, the south side is chosen.

1984
Brownlie leaves as minister, interim minister Michael O'Kelly serves one year.

1986
Rev. John Marsh arrives. A second Sunday service is added, and the church has its first ministerial intern, Joan Montagnes. A refugee family is sponsored, and the church's Moosemilk Press publishes several volumes.

~ During the 1990s ~

1995
Rev. John Marsh leaves our congregation.

1997
Rev. Brian Kiely begins as minister. The Chorealis choir is launched.

~ The New Millenium ~

2005
A new UCE building on 119th Street is dedicated.

2006
The church door is defaced with swastika by vandals.

2007
Rev. Brian Kiely is elected president of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists. During his presidency he travels to France, Germany, Romania and Kenya.