A History of the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church
Catherine L. Hofmann moved to Orange County in the early 1950′s and found no liberal church to attend. She was a minister’s daughter. She enlisted the help of Dr. Charles Blauvelt, the Universalist pastor in Pasadena. Together, they made a list of people in the area who had received Universalist mailings, and invited them to meet on Sunday mornings.
They came.
In 1953, the group was too big for her living room. A meeting was called in February at an American Legion Hall to consider the official founding of a Universalist Fellowship. The Legion Hall, shared with a Lutheran congregation, became the Fellowship’s home. Rev. G. Douglas Frazier, Minister-at-Large of the California Universalist Association, worked with the group that year, and in the spring a Religious Education program began for all children. In November, an official minister was hired, Dr. Frederick W. Ringe, with his wife, Bess, who served as Music Director. In nearby Santa Ana, a group of Unitarians were trying to establish a church, with a group of women called the Women’s Liberal Religious Alliance. Some of those families began to attend the Universalist meetings. Money for a building fund began to be accumulated, and in 1954, the Women’s Liberal Religious Alliance contributed their $600 treasury to the project.
A handsome hilltop site in Costa Mesa was selected. The building was designed by James Webb, a member of the group. The unconventional shape drew much local attention. While the church was being built, the congregation met for a time at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. The first meeting in the new building was held on Sunday, March 6, 1960. The presiding minister was Rev. Charles Blauvelt, now retired and a new resident in the Newport area. He urged everyone to bring coats, as the interior was far from finished. Many brought their own folding chairs.
That year, in Boston, the decision was made to combine the Unitarians and the Universalists.
This church voted to exercise its option, and retain the name of The Universalist Community Fellowship. A family named Willits gifted the church with a Steinway grand piano. In 1962, a Mrs. Montangue formed a Children’s Choir to perform at Easter and Christmas. A Women’s Alliance was formed, and purchased handsome new light fixtures for the Sanctuary. The 1960 records show 87 members, 57 “friends”, and 105 children.
In 1965 The Rev. Roger T. Walke accepted the ministry of what was still called the Universalist Community Fellowship, although more often, the connected name Unitarian Universalist Church was being used. He organized a drive to buy new hymnals in 1966, and approved changing the name of the lively church newsletter to “The Reach”. Rev. Walke resigned in 1971, and the group continued as a Fellowship.
Rev. Arthur W. Olsen of the Minister-at-Large program served as a special Interim Minister to the church in 1972. He organized a fruitful fundraising drive, and guided the search for a new minister. Rev. Robert Jordan Ross was hired in 1972, and led the church through a period of vigorous growth. A new member, Ms. Mieque Weinstein, was asked to establish a music program. Rev. Chris Schriner joined the staff as Minister of Counseling.
Some welcome decorating was done by members of the Women’s Group. The lobby, the minister’s office, the kitchen and bathrooms were redone. New chairs were purchased for the sanctuary.
When Rev. Ross resigned in 1979, the Interim Minister was Rev. Josiah Bartlett , whose name is remembered by the Bartlett Patio, the outdoor gathering spot on the shady North side which he personally helped to create. In 1980 the church welcomed Rev. Eileen Karpeles to what was now officially the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church.
Rev. James Nelson became our Minister in 1984. During his years at OCUUC, Rev. Nelson instigated the first major changes to the main church building. The lobby, two offices, the balcony and its storage areas were removed. Seating was rearranged, enlarging the capacity of the sanctuary. In 1989, work began on new kitchen and bathroom facilities, more storage areas and landscaping. Also built in 1989 was
the Joan Gillan Religious Education Building. Joan was a long-time leader of the R.E. department, and the building was a gift in her memory by the Gillan family. This building, standing just below the Tracy Boag building provides three classrooms and space for a variety of meetings.
Rev. James Nelson was called to serve the UU congregation in Fairfax, Virginia in 1993. Interim Minister Rev. Branford Lovely, retiring pastor of the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena, started later in 1993. In 1994 the congregation called Rev. Diana D. Heath. Ms. Heath resigned early in 1996. The Interim Minister that summer was Rev. Leslie Heyboer.
In 1998, the congregation called the Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff to the OCUUC pulpit. Several major changes took place in the church in 2000, including expansion of the Sanctuary seating, a permanent Choir Loft, new decor and furnishings, painting and improvements to the exterior and the patio areas. Rev. Karen retired in the summer of 2011. The congregation of Orange Coast UU Church voted to grant Rev. Karen Minister Emerita status for her dedicated and competent ministerial leadership.
The Tracy Boag Religious Education Building
Tracy Boag was the 16-year-old daughter of long time members Wally and Ellen Boag. She had attended Church School, and been a Kindergarten teacher. She died in 1963 after a long and painful illness. Her parents established the Tracy Boag fund in her memory, and many “show business” friends contributed. Wally performed at Disneyland for many years in the “Golden Horseshoe Revue”, and produced several benefit performances for the church. The four-room Tracy Boag building is located directly behind the main church, and bears a plaque in Tracy’s name.
The Bartlett Patio
Built on the “shady side” of the church during Rev. Josiah Bartlett’s tenure, this pleasant space houses the coffee hour, receptions, teas and parties. In 2000, the patio was enlarged with new landscaping and the name changed to the Bartlett-Daniels patio in honor of a generous donation.
The Davia and Skinner Patios
Two small patios on the South side of the church were built during the extensive landscaping in the 90′s. The Davia family provided the stonework for the former “Choir” patio. The fencing and landscaping were the gift of Lee and Carol Agon. The Chalice patio with its stonework outline, is the gift and work of a longtime member and groundskeeper, Don Skinner.
The Hanging Chalice
Swinging in its circle behind the pulpit, it was created by artist Frank Hassett.
