Our History

In 1797, the “First Society for Social and Public Worship in the Town of Burlington” was founded by those citizens who wanted religious services to be available in the community. Church-going was not a high priority among Americans after the Revolution, and only a few of the about 2000 Burlington residents were interested.  

Two Groups

Within 10 years, this First Society divided into liberal and conservative factions, mirroring what was happening throughout New England. The Society’s first minister, Dr. Daniel Sanders, refused to enter the controversy, and he resigned in 1806 to devote himself to his position as president of the University of Vermont.  

The Society’s conservative members became the First Calvinist Congregational Church of Burlington and dates its founding from 1805. The liberal faction became the First Congregational Society of Burlington and dates its founding from 1810 when it called Rev. Mr. Samuel Clark as their minister. At his 1810 ordination, the sermon was given by William Emerson, father of Ralph Waldo Emerson.  

The Brick Meeting House

In 1814 the Society purchased, for $1000, a five-acre overgrown pasture on the northern edge of the village of Burlington. The Brick Meeting House — as it was called — was built in 1816.  The massive timbers came from the Browns River Valley, the brick was fired in Burlington, the foundation stone came from the local quarry, and the nails were hammered by hand. Costing $22,185.34, it is the oldest surviving place of worship in the City and the most recognized landmark of Burlington.

Over the years, significant renovations, additions, and repairs have been made to improve the building, adopt changing styles, accommodate the growing congregation and make it more accessible and energy efficient. Solar panels over part of the parking lot provide our electricity for much of the year, and studies are underway to make our Meeting House fossil-fuel free and net-zero.   

Name Changes

Over the years, we have changed our name to reflect our identity. The original First Congregational Society of Burlington became the First Congregational (Unitarian) Society of Burlington to differentiate ourselves from the Trinitarian First Congregational Church. We later became the first Unitarian Church and then changed names again, to be the First Unitarian Universalist Church when Unitarians and Universalists merged in 1961. Finally, in 1982, we voted to restore the term “society” to our name: The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.