Our Stories
Date founded: 10/13/1957
Dr. Maybelle Chapman (PhD from Yale in History and taught AP US and European History at Edmonds Senior HS.) and Dr. Stuart Chapman (an engineer who pioneered the concept of incorporating liberal arts into the engineering curriculum at UW) held organizational meeting in 1957. Thirty-six people signed the membership book and the group was named the Sno-King Unitarian Fellowship. The Chapmans were instrumental in the life of the church for many years.
Here are some important milestones in the history of our Congregation.
1959: The fellowship had 44 members. Religious education program started.
1960: By-laws adopted and name changed to Edmonds Unitarian Fellowship
1967: First building constructed, consisting of Chapman Hall and the Narthex. Rev. Robert Fulghum hired as part-time minister.
1969: Religious Exploration building constructed
1969: Stuart and Maybelle Chapman ordained and installed as volunteer ministers, working with Rev. Fulghum
1973: First annual Northwest Artists’ Holiday Show. Continued until 2019 and proved a huge success promoting church-wide fellowship and as a major fundraiser for EUUC.
1982: First Great Decisions series started by Maybelle Chapman
1985: Rev. Fulghum retired
1986: Maybelle Chapman retired as minister. She remained a driving force at EUUC until shortly before her death in 2000.
1988: Rev. Jaco ten Hove installed as minister; served until 1998.
1990: Name changed from Edmonds Unitarian Church to Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church.
1994-95: Major building addition completed
1997: “40/90 Celebration” Birthday party for EUUC and Maybelle Chapman. Study Vision 2000 workshop.
1999: Rev. Ed Brock installed as minister; served until 2007
2001: Second service added on Sunday mornings. RE Mystery Friend project commenced.
2002: Joyful Noise music group started. Grand piano purchased.
2003: Seismic upgrade of Chapman Hall
2007: EUUC’s 50th birthday party. Special appearance by former EUUC minister Robert Fulghum.
2010: Rev. Eric Kaminetzky installed as minister
2012: Congregational stand: LGBTQ+ Justice & Equity
2014: Congregational stand: Money in Politics
2016: Name changed to Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation
2016: Congregational stand: Global Warming and Climate Justice
2017: Rev. Cecilia Kingman hired as Minister of Faith and Justice; served until 2022
2019: Congregational stand: Racial Justice
2020: Due to Covid, the building was closed and all in-person activities were suspended. Live-streaming of all services soon commenced, along with on-line virtual communication for meetings, classes, workshops, etc.
2022: The building reopened for Sunday services and other in-person gatherings.
2023: Congregational stand: Reproductive Justice
2024: Rev. Eric Kaminetzky retires from Congregational Ministry
2025 : We entered a phase of Transitional Ministry