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Willmar
First Unitarian Society of Willmar
The First Unitarian Society of Willmar was organized at Renville, MN on June 9, 1929. Thirty-four religious liberals, from the surrounding area, signed as charter members. Elected to direct the organization were: Mrs. Harry Molenaar-president, John Molenaar-vice-president, and Mrs. Arvid Larson-secretary-treasurer.
During 1929, meetings were held at member’s homes, there was a picnic and ice-cream social, and Dr. John H. Dietrich was the first minister to address the group on Oct. 25 at the Masonic Hall in Willmar. Dr. Dietrich continued to be mentor for the organization until his retirement.
In April of 1930, the group voted to affiliate with the Minneapolis Unitarian Society and a close relationship was held with that church for many years.
In 1934, Mrs. Harry Molenaar was the first delegate to attend the Minnesota Unitarian Conference. A $F100.00 gift from the Conference was given to the infant Willmar Society.
Meetings were usually held during the evening in the 1930s and a social hour with dancing followed the lecture. Meeting places were the Masonic Hall, Carlson’s Hall, and the Elks Hall. Donations to the Minneapolis Unitarian Society, the western Unitarian Conference and the American Unitarian Association were started.
In March of 1944, the Willmar Society purchased a church building at 5th and Trott Ave., Willmar, MN, and improvements were made to fit their special needs. Donations had been solicited earlier and full payment was made when the church was bought.
On June 16, 1945, the Society voted to call Konrad Bose as their minister. Mr. Bose was ordained and installed at the Willmar Church on September 23, 1945 and served there until 1947.
A religious education “Lake Camp” was organized in April of 1946 with Edith Haroldson and Geneva Molenaar as co-directors. “Lake Camp” has been held continuously since that time and will be celebrating its 40th year this summer. It also serves children from UU Fellowships and small churches in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The Willmar Unitarian Society meets every Sunday except during the three summer months and has guest ministers and speakers who talk on a wide range of topics. A picnic is held during the summer, a “Skills Auctions” is used for fund raising and there are “Family Night” get-togethers.
Some of the prominent people who have addressed the group over the years include: Dr. John H. Dietrich, Dr. A.U. Haydon, Dr. F.M. Elliot, Dr. R.C. Dexter, DR. W. E. Cole, Dr. R.B. Bragg, Warren Creel, Dr. H.J. Adlard, Rev. Lester Mondale, Rabbi Minday, Maurice Visser, Harold Deutsch, Frank Rarig, H.H. Humphrey, Kenneth Patton, Rev. Carl Storm, Norman Thomas, Rev. Beale, Mulford Sibley, Paul Blanchard, Dr. John Brigham, Dr. Arthur Foote, Wm. Luyten, Scott Nearing, Werner Levi, Dr. M. Levine, Dr. John Cummins, Dr. A. Norman, and others.