New and Updated Histories : Iowa
Dubuque
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque, Iowa
An update of the original UUFD history published in Part 2
After researching denominations in Leo Rosten’s book Religions of America: Ferment and Faith in an Age of Crisis, David and Lisa Fryxell decided that the Unitarian Universalist denomination was closest to their beliefs as adults and joined Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul, Minnesota. Eventually they moved to Dubuque, where they were both employed by the Telegraph Herald. Missing liberal religion, they contacted the Unitarian Universalist Association and received names of persons who subscribed to the denomination’s publications. In January, 1983, they arranged a meeting at their home which was attended by the Rev. Alan Egly of Davenport, Iowa, and the Rev. Martha Newman of Clinton, Iowa, and three local families. After a couple more meetings, the chalice for the liberal faith of Unitarian Universalists was lit at a service on February 19, 1984, at Comiskey Park on Jackson Street. Rev. Newman spoke about “Why we are Unitarian Universalists.”
In the fall of 1984, bylaws were adopted and Jerry Clark was chosen as the first president. For a place to meet, the members donned work clothes to renovate a room for a year’s free rent on Bluff Street. It was referred to as “The Upper Room,” since it was the upper floor of an old duplex. Through PSD Chalice Lighters support, Rev. Newman of the Clinton congregation provided services once a month. On January 25, 1985, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Dubuque received its charter from the Unitarian Universalist Association.
As the new church year started in September, 1985, the Fellowship began offering services every other Sunday, September through May, in rented space at the Masonic Temple. Religious education for youth was offered for the first time with Becky Clark and Tam Prenosil as the first teachers.
Since “deeds, not creeds” has been important in its history, in January, 1986, the Fellowship hosted the first public celebration in Dubuque of Martin Luther King’s birthday. It was held at the Masonic Temple with the Rev. Martha Newman praising Dr. King but also asking why humankind kills its prophets. The room was packed with 200 people in attendance for the noontime service.
The following year, Rev. Carol Hilton of Cedar Falls, Iowa, became the new part-time minister, and she served through May, 1988. A member representing the Fellowship was egged when he spoke at the city’s first Gay/Lesbian rally held at Washington Park.
The fall of 1988 saw Mary Beth O’Halloran, a UU student at the University of Dubuque Seminary, become the Fellowship’s part-time minister. In the fall of 1991, after Mary Beth, the Fellowship continued professional ministerial services with the Rev. Dr. Jeremy Brigham.
In October, 1991, when there were signs attacking Planned Parenthood placed on lawns throughout the city, the Fellowship hosted their director from Cedar Rapids, who spoke at a packed Sunday service which was advertised to the public. The service went without incident.
The Fellowship published a comprehensive Long-Range Plan, “A Liberal Faith Odyssey,” in December, 1991. Input was obtained from its members, friends, and other like-sized Unitarian Universalist societies. It offered an outline of a commitment to the physical and spiritual growth of the Fellowship which included time frames for obtaining a building and full-time professional ministerial services. Also, three goals were established in Youth Religious Education: (1) Provide a quality Sunday school program, (2) Help children feel that they are part of the congregation, and (3) Make the process of learning fun, rewarding, and preparatory for life in modern society.
During 1994–1996, Rev. Charity Rowley served the Fellowship as speaker on one Sunday each month. Rev. Eric Cherry continued the traditional part-time ministerial services for the 1996–1998 years. A member, Maryann Caudill-LoGuidice, eventually became a Commissioned Lay Leader in 2000.
The Fellowship continued to meet at Windsor Park every Sunday from September through May, and about once a month in the summer. Membership was at 38 adults. In September, 2004, the congregation purchased its first property, a brick church building (built in 1885) and parsonage located at 1699 Iowa Street in downtown Dubuque. With the retirement of the commissioned lay leader in May, 2005, the Fellowship resumed its format of leadership with members and monthly sermons beginning in September with Rev. Kent Mayfield.
At this time, 2007, Rev. Mayfield continues to give sermons and the Program Committee coordinates the remainder of the Sundays year around. Being in our own home has given the Fellowship a more visible flame for liberal religion in the Tri-States area.