2. Congregation Histories : Nebraska

Omaha

Historical sketch
First Unitarian Church of Omaha, Nebraska
From 1869 through March, 1986

The articles of incorporation of the First Unitarian Church of Omaha were signed August 22, 1869 by twenty-six men and women prominently identified with the early life of Omaha. Its first settled minister was the Rev. Henry E. Bond. A small brick chapel was built at 17th and Cass and dedicated in 1871. The Rev. H. L. Cargill and the Rev. Samuel P. Putnam were respective ministers through 1878, after which the Rev. W. E. Copeland began twenty years the church experienced a powerful growth. A large addition was joined to the chapel. Mann published several books and was the first American minister to accept and proclaim the philosophy of evolution.

The Rev. M. Lillifors came for two years in 1910 to find the church going through some difficult times financially. The building was sold, but the Women’s Alliance managed to hold the congregation together with vespers, church school classes, and meetings, which were held in various available halls with visiting ministers from other parts of the area.

In 1916, the Rev. Robert F. Leavens (author of Great Companions) was called. The present building at 31st and Harney was built, and dedicated in the fall of 1918. The church’s early years were marked by moves on both the theological and physical levels. Theodore Parker’s philosophy, the use of reason and common sense, was brought to the Midwest by Unitarian ministers, notably Copeland and Mann.

The Rev. Charles H. Lyttle served as pastor in 1921–22. He was later to write Freedom Moves West, a historical account of the Unitarian movement in this area. The Rev. Ralph E. Bailey served from 1922 to 1928. The Laymen’s League and the Get Acquainted Club attracted many, and membership reached 200.

In 1929, the Rev. Laurence R. Plank began a seven-year ministry. Church attendance was high, a not unusual development during times of economic depression, and Plank spoke to an overflowing audience each Sunday morning and for a successful series of evening lectures. In 1931, Omaha’s beautiful Joslyn Museum opened its doors to the public, a gift of Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband. Both were members of First Church. Mrs. Joslyn also gave the church its present Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ.

During World War II, the Rev. Robert S. Miller served as pastor, but left in ‘43 to serve as a chaplain in the Navy. The Rev. John W. Cyrus came then, to serve First Church for the next thirteen years. At the church’s 75th anniversary, former minister Bailey returned to give the sermon. Cyrus did a series of radio broadcasts sponsored by the church and was on the board of the Omaha Urban League. In May of ‘52, a two-story church school annex was added to the building. Sunday night public forums were popular. For ten years the Frank R. Hoagland Lectures brought well-known national figures to speak. Membership reached 311.

The Rev. Charles W. Phillips was minister from 1956 to 1960. Sponsored by the American Christian-Palestine Association and Omaha friends, Phillips made a three-week study tour of Israel and Arab countries. A collection of his sermons, No Graven Image, was privately published by a member of the congregation. In 1960, the Rev. Robert Weston began a four-year ministry. Prairie Star District held its 85th conference in Omaha. Midland Memorial Society was organized. Church membership increased to 409 and the congregation voted to expand Unitarianism locally by buying property at 117th and West Dodge Road for the use of its west Omaha members. Weston’s poetry made up the UUA’s Lenten manual, Seasons of the Soul, which since has been widely used in Unitarian-Universalist services throughout the country.

During the eleven-year minister of Vester L. “Van” Vanstrom, the church’s 100th year was observed with former minister Cyrus returning from Milwaukee to give the banquet address. First Church purchased the property and building at 3012 South 119th Street, which was dedicated as Second Unitarian Church on January 12, 1974. After the sale of the West Dodge property, First Church’s congregation voted to give the Second Church property to that congregation. A committee on social justice was active, and with other Unitarian ministers, Vanstrom took part in the memorial march in Selma, Alabama, for the Rev. James Reeb, Unitarian civil rights martyr.

In January of 1986, the church observed the 10th anniversary of the continuing ministry of the Rev. Ronald Knapp in Omaha. Highlights of the past decade have been the institution of an annual fall homecoming, the church’s listing as a nationally registered landmark, major interior renovations, several Sunday morning television broadcasts, the organization of Nebraska Advocates for Nursing Home Residents, an expansion of various discussion programs, and the influx of new young members. First Church has benefited greatly over the years from the continued loyalty of many and the generous gifts of such members as Sarah Joslyn, Dr. John P. Merritt, Olive and Gordon Erickson, and Inez Coppom.

—Marie Bradley Helms