New and Updated Histories : Wisconsin
River Falls
Unitarian Universalist Society of River Falls (UUSRF)
A new congregational history — River Falls was not represented in Part 2 of the original.
Unitarian Universalist interest in the St. Croix Valley area goes back to 1957–1961 when a few families started to meet informally to listen to UU sermons, discuss ideas, and give their children some religious education (RE) guidance following UU principles. The group disbanded when it became apparent that the children could benefit from more than these informal gatherings, so the families started going into the Twin Cities for services and regular RE classes.
In 1988, Tim Paterak and Jay and Mickie Scholtus decided to see if there was enough interest to get another UU congregation started in the area. An advertisement for the first gathering appeared on February 18, 1988. A group of about 20 interested people gathered throughout that spring in the basement of what is now the bank building beside the Methodist Church on Second Street in downtown River Falls. On April 11, 1990, we became officially affiliated with the UUA, with 40 adult members and five children. The meetings continued on alternate Sundays in the basement of the bank until 1992, when we lost the use of that space. Services were lay-led or conducted by UU ministers from the Twin Cities area.
Our efforts to buy or find alternative space in the area were unsuccessful, so the group met for a year in the courthouse in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. After much searching throughout that year, we found our first permanent home in what had been a band instrument repair business located in the Extraterritorial Zone in River Falls Township. In September 1993 we moved into the Blue House on the western edge of River Falls. With our space issue somewhat settled, we were able to focus on leadership. We employed Eleanor Rice as an intern, then Rev. Mary Beth O’Halloran as a part-time minister. Following her ordination, Rev. Eleanor Rice was employed as a part-time minister, and services were held every Sunday. All this time, our dream of a bigger space with room for RE was a goal we were trying to resolve.
Finally, in the spring of 2005, when we had a plan for a building addition and financing in place, we learned that the church building owned by Grace Mission was for sale. Two days before signing with the builder, we decided to purchase the Grace Mission building, and moved into our current building in July 2005. In July 2006, Rev. Ted Tollefson was hired as our consulting minister. Currently we have about 60 adult members and 25 children in the society, as well as many friends. We continue to be lay-led on alternate Sundays. We are governed by a six-member Board and much of the work of the UUSRF is accomplished by the members through our various committees.