Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent Ohio explained

Fullname:Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, Ohio
Location:228 Gougler Ave., Kent, Ohio
Country:United States
Coordinates:41.156°N -81.36°W
Denomination:Unitarian Universalism
Membership:140-200 adults
100 children
Website:Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent
Former Name:First Universalist Church of Kent
Status:Church
Functional Status:Active
Minister:? [1]

Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, Ohio is a Unitarian Universalist ("UU") church in Kent, Ohio. Founded in 1866,[2] the current building was completed by builder Joseph Gridley (1820-1902) in 1868 on land donated by philanthropist Marvin Kent and rests on a bedrock of sandstone.[3] Its 19 founding members were among the major movers and shakers of the then Village of Franklin Mills, and included abolitionists and Civil War veterans. They were: Dr. Aaron M. Sherman, M.D., who served as a Civil War surgeon (“contract surgeon” for the 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and who was stationed at “Lincoln General Hospital” in Washington, D.C.), a prominent civic promoter, served many terms on the local school board, co-founded the Rockton Masonic Lodge that occupies the historic 1883 summer home of Marvin Kent on West Main Street, served as a State Representative in the Ohio State House of Representatives and whose 1858 home first built by Zenas Kent (father of Marvin) for his daughter Frances and her husband George Wells was recently saved, moved and restored by local historic preservation activists, Arvin Olin, Ransom Olin, Nelson Olin, Joseph Stratton, who, in 1882, donated the large bell that is in the church belfry, Phillip Boosinger, Mary Boosinger, Rhoda Boosinger, James D. Haymaker (son of Frederick Haymaker, member of a family who had strong abolitionist leanings and a business partner of abolitionist John Brown, who resided in Kent for a time) and Mary Rosetta Olin Haymaker, J.G. Whitcomb, T.H. Marshall, Eliza Wright, A. Merrell, Almund Russell (a member of a prominent Franklin Mills abolitionist family), Sybil Bradley, Effie Parsons, Mary J. Parsons and Mary A. Furry. These 19 men and women gathered on May 27, 1866, to write and sign the church's constitution in the historic 1836 Village Hall that would serve as an early place of worship before the church building was completed next door in 1868. It is the only church still using its original 19th century building in the city of Kent and in 1976 the site was designed as a "significant restored building site".[4] In the early and middle twentieth century when there were few women clergy anywhere in the United States, the church is notable for having several women ministers: Abbie Danforth in 1889, Carlotta Crosley in 1903, and Violet Kochendoerfer in 1972.[4] Membership is between 140 and 200 full-time adults as well as 100 children in its religious education programs.[2] The church runs a summer camp called Kent Hogwarts which is a Harry Potter-themed camp for young kids,[5] [6] which emphasizes chemistry, poetry, singing and community service.[7] The church advocates social justice, environmental awareness, democracy and acceptance of diverse peoples including all religions.[8] The Kent church follows the seven basic principles of Unitarian Universalism.[8]

The church hosts funeral and memorial services,[9] concerts including classical and jazz music,[10] [11] public meetings on local issues,[12] speeches advocating democracy,[13] and other community events. It holds an annual book sale.[14] In 2016, Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer led the church on a course of structural expansion, seeking variances to expand its physical size.[15] As part of a renovation project, the ceiling of the sanctuary will be removed to expose the vaulted beams from the earlier roof as well as a stained glass window.[2]

Reverend Carvill-Ziemer was appointed chief minister in 2005.[8] [15] In 2010, the church ordained Rev. Renee Ruchotzke and appointed her as its Affiliated Community Minister.[16]

Church leaders have advocated against racism,[17] [18] and marched with other interfaith leaders for racial justice.[19] According to a demographic analysis by Google, the city of Kent is the "most racist" in northeastern Ohio.[17] Carvill-Ziemer advocated against white privilege.[20] In 2010, Ziemer and fellow Unitarian Universalists from Kent traveled to Arizona to protest the state's immigration legislation; she was arrested in Phoenix for allegedly blocking traffic in front of a sheriff's office.[20] [21] A judge later found her not guilty and she was released.[22]

The church has a long history of social action. In 1900, minister Abbie Danforth created and led the Portage County suffrage association and chaired a two-day conference on women's suffrage.[23] [24] [25] Danforth had studied at Canton Theological School and had been ordained in 1878,[26] just 15 years after suffragist Olympia Brown, who was the first woman ever to be ordained in the United States.[27] [28] In the late 1960s, the church served as a site for a local food co-op that later became the Kent Natural Foods Co-op.[29] [30]

In the 1960s and 1970s, the church was active in the anti-war movement.[4] [31] [32] After the May 4, 1970 shootings on the Kent State University campus, the church:

Ministers

+ Ministers
YearsNameNotes
1866-1876Andrew Willson[33]
-1876-1879J.S. Gladhill
1879-1884Edward Morris
1884-1889R.B. Marsh
1889-1891Abbie Danforth
1891-1895O.G. Colgrove
1895-1897H.K. Regal
1897-1898A.I. Spanton
1898-1900Abbie Danforth
1900-1901F.M. Hayes
1902-1903Carl Henry
1903-1908Carlotta Crosley
1908-1916Ira A. Priest
1916-1918Martin Fereshtian
1918-1920John M. Grimes
1920-1922Edward Lewis
1922-1925Harry Wright
1925-1928F. Osten-Sacken
1928-1929James Houghton
1929-1933Carl H. Olson
1933-1934Ralph Boyd
1935-1936Edward Day
1937-1942Charles A. Hallenbeck
1943-1962John Flint
1962-1965Bjarne Kjelshus
1965-1968Peter T. Richardson
1970-?William Schulz
1972-1978Violet Kochendoerfer
1992-2004Julie-Ann Silberman-Bunn
2004-2005Sonya Montana
2005–2016Melissa Carvill-Ziemer
2017Anya Drew Johnston
2018–2024Steven A. Protzman
2010–presentRenee Ruchotzke, Affiliated Community Minister

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Minister & Staff. Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent. 28 November 2011 .
  2. Web site: Matthew Merchant. May 26, 2016 . Record-Courier. Kent's Unitarian Universalist Church celebrates 150 years: Church will host speakers, concerts through april to observe anniversary. August 25, 2016. ... On May 27, 1866, just after the end of the Civil War, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent was founded in the town of Franklin Mills. ... The current building ... sanctuary's false ceiling will be removed ... .
  3. Robert R. Fildes, March 1994, (historical archives at Kent State University), The History Of The Congregation And The Church Building, Retrieved September 12, 2016, "... donated by Marvin Kent. ... sandstone ..."
  4. Web site: S. R. Thulin. August 16, 1979. University Libraries. UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST CHURCH (KENT, OH) RECORDS, 1880-1977. September 26, 2016. . ... structure is the oldest existing church in the city of Kent ... Three women ministers ... Reverend Abbie Danforth ... appointed in 1889, Reverend Carlotte Crosley (1903 - 1908), and Reverend Violet Kochendoerfer (1972 - 1978) . ... members were very active in local, state and national affairs ... particularly prominent in the Peace Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. ... .
  5. Web site: NICOLE SWEENEY ETTER . May 20, 2013. UU World. 'The only place I can really be me': Summer camps help kids build their Unitarian Universalist identity.. August 25, 2016. ... Helena Esparza gets an archery lesson from "Merlin" at KentHogwarts, a Harry Potter-themed summer camp run by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, Ohio. ... .
  6. Web site: JOHANNNA JAINCHILL. December 16, 2005. New York Times. Harry Potter Events: Fancy a Little Quidditch?. August 25, 2016. ... KENT, OHIO -- Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, 228 Gougler Avenue, 330-673-4247; www.kentuu.org. -- What: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, ... .
  7. Web site: Diane Smith . April 10, 2003. Record-Courier. Sponsors sought for Kent helmet program. August 25, 2016. ... The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent and Kent Social Services ... third year. ... children learn the magic of chemistry, poetry, song and community service. ... ..
  8. Web site: Christopher Hook . July 18, 2007. Kent Wired. Congregation embraces lesbian minister. August 25, 2016. ... Melissa Carvill-Ziemer ... seven guiding principles ... she is a lesbian. ... church community has been very supportive. .. physical infrastructure of the church as well as a different approach to Sunday services. ... .
  9. Web site: Regina Brett. February 15, 2012. Cleveland News. Kent 'folk hero' was more than he appeared. August 25, 2016. ... Like many, John was stunned by the crowd at Robert's memorial. Nearly 200 packed the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent on Saturday morning. ... .
  10. Web site: Classical Musical Staff. April 5, 2016 . Cleveland Scene. The Cleveland Orchestra Goes Multimedia and 8 Other Classical Music Events Not to Miss This week. August 25, 2016. ... Ayreheart ... Kent Unitarian Universalist Church (228 Gougler Ave. in Kent). ... .
  11. Web site: Greg Burnett. February 5, 2015. The Plain Dealer. Jazz is front and center around Greater Cleveland including: Forecast and a jazz brunch at Vosh in Lakewood. August 25, 2016. ... Cuyahoga River Concert series. Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, 228 Gougler Ave., Kent; ... .
  12. Web site: BOB DOWNING . May 14, 2015. Akron Beacon Journal. Ohio Utica Shale: Portage County group kicks off community rights charter plan. August 25, 2016. ... It will hold four public meetings to discuss the proposal: ... May 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Kent's Unitarian Universalist Church, 228 Gougler Ave. ... .
  13. Web site: April 5, 2010. Record-Courier. David Cobb to speak on Creating Democracy. August 25, 2016. ... David Cobb, spokesperson for Move to Amend, will speak on "Creating Democracy and Challenging Corporate Rule at 7 p.m. April 5 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Kent. ... .
  14. Web site: Colette M. Jenkins . April 27, 2012. Beacon Journal. RELIGION NOTES: National Day of Prayer to be observed Thursday. August 25, 2016. ... Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent — ... Annual book sale. ... .
  15. Web site: April 18, 2016. Board of Zoning Appeals, Kent, Ohio. DS Architecture / Universalist Unitarian Church -- 228 Gougler Avenue. August 25, 2016. ... Melissa Carvill Ziemer, ... stated she served as the minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church. She said she has been serving for about eleven years and about eight or nine years ago, they realized they needed to expand in order to accommodate the growing congregation. ... .
  16. Web site: January 23, 2016. Indiana Gazette. Community church news announced. August 25, 2016. ... Ruchotzke was ordained in 2010 ... Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent ... affiliated community minister ... .
  17. Web site: BRADFORD HANSON. August 5, 2015. National Vanguard. Ohio: Christianity Unites Blacks and Whites to "Fight Racism". August 25, 2016. ... local clergy ... tear down the walls of racial divide ... Google research data identified as the most racist in Northeast Ohio ... representatives from ... Unitarian Universalist, ... .
  18. Colette M. Jenkins, Beacon Journal, July 31, 2015, Clergy marching in Kent to denounce racism, demonstrate solidarity, Retrieved September 13, 2016, "... the alliance includes representatives from ... Unitarian Universalist, ..."
  19. Web site: Tom Feran. July 31, 2015. Cleveland News via The Plain Dealer. Diverse faith groups in Kent march against racism Sunday. August 25, 2016. ... At least four predominantly white Christian congregations ... interfaith march against racism ... Kent churches formally committed ... the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent ... .
  20. Web site: Word Alchemy. August 4, 2010 . Daily Kos. Arrest Arpaio, not the clergy!. August 25, 2016. ... Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent ... surprised me were her reports of white privilege. ... .
  21. Web site: JEFF ST. CLAIR. August 5, 2010. WKSU News. Ohio pastor arrested in Arizona protest: Melissa Carvill-Ziemer says immigration policy unjust. August 25, 2016. ... Arizona's new immigration law ... pastors representing Unitarian Universalists in Ohio joined a protest ... were arrested ... Melissa Carvill-Ziemer is pastor of the Kent Unitarian Universalist church. ... .
  22. Web site: DONALD E. SKINNER. January 31, 2011. UU World . Cases dismissed for many Phoenix protesters: Court dismisses cases against 17 UUs, finds three others not guilty for SB 1070 protests.. August 25, 2016. ... Those who have been found not guilty by a judge are ... Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer of the UU Church of Kent, Ohio; . ... .
  23. Web site: Roger J. Di Paolo. July 31, 2016. Record-Courier. PORTAGE PATHWAYS: Susan B. Anthony got cold shoulder from Portage press. September 12, 2016. ... Voting rights advocates formed a Portage County suffrage association ... 1900 ... leaders ... Rev. Abbie Danforth, pastor of First Universalist Church of Kent, one of the first women to serve in that role..
  24. Web site: Guenvuer Harper Burnell. March 25, 2008. Kent Kapers II. Digging into History. September 12, 2016. ... signature quilt sewn in 1890 by the women of the Unitarian Universalist Church ... women's suffrage rally held in November of 1890, for which the Kent Opera House was rented. ... chaired by Abby Danforth who was the minister of the UU church at the time. ... .
  25. Abbie Danforth, Washington State Library, August 8, 1910, Letters from Abbie Danforth, Retrieved September 12, 2016, WSL Manuscripts; MS 171, Box 2, ... women's suffrage; clubs and organizations
  26. Book: Catherine F. Hitchings . Universalist and Unitarian Women Ministers . 2d . Unitarian Universalist Historical Society . 1985.
  27. Note: Brown, like Danforth, was a Universalist.
  28. "Some famous Universalists include Clara Barton, Olympia Brown, ... Universalism, UUA.org, August 1, 2007. . Retrieved August 27, 2007.
  29. Web site: Kent Natural Foods. Kent Natural Foods Co-op History. September 12, 2016.
  30. Web site: History of the UU Church in Kent. 28 November 2011. UU Church in Kent. September 12, 2016.
  31. University of Massachusetts (archives), Thomas M. Grace Erie Community College, 2016, Kent State: Death and Dissent in the Long Sixties, Retrieved September 13, 2016, (see page three:) ". ... The exception to the urban, blue-collar cohort was Joan Flint, the daughter of a Unitarian Universalist minister in Kent. ... "
  32. University of San Diego, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, William F. Schulz, Ph.D., Retrieved September 13, 2016, (see page 12: Interview with William F. Schulz, Ph.D.) "... most influential event in my growing up ... student at Oberlin ... I happened to be a student minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Kent, Ohio, at the time of the Kent State shootings ..."
  33. Web site: July 18, 2007. Kent Library. UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF KENT, OHIO RECORDS. September 12, 2016. ... Kent Unitarian-Universalist Church and its members were very active in local, state and national affairs, and were particularly prominent in the Peace Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. .

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