UUSE: Our History

submitted by Peggy Webbe

In the beginning….

In September 1968, the Unitarian Universalist Connecticut Valley District held an open meeting for anyone in the Manchester area interested in forming a new liberal religious society. On January 19, 1969, 49 people signed as “charter members” and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Manchester was born. The name was later changed to Unitarian Universalist Society: East and in 2022, the colon was dropped to become Unitarian Universalist Society East.

For ten years, the society held services in rented properties with a part-time minister. In the beginning, money was scarce and disputes among the leadership threatened to bring an end to the fledgling congregation.

In 1974 the members solidified the style of governance, encouraging power and decision-making to flow from bottom to top to make a truly “people’s church”. The “shared ministry,” a division of responsibility between the minister and the lay members has become a cherished tradition.

As membership grew, the need for a permanent home became evident. In 1977, the four-acre parcel on West Vernon Street was purchased and construction began. The congregation not only raised the needed funds but volunteered countless hours of finish work and landscaping. The meetinghouse was dedicated in September 1979.

The first rented meetinghouse, formerly the “Church of the Nazarene”

Group effort to build our own meetinghouse

The first settled minister, Rev. Arnold Westwood, guided the congregation through those early precarious years. He retired in 1984 and was named Minister Emeritus.

Rev. Arnold Westwood, 1970

The Rev. Diana Heath followed as the first full-time minister in the new meetinghouse. After a difficult three-year term, she left to accept a call from another church.

By 1988 membership was comprised of 200 adults and 85 children; and the meetinghouse, while only a few years old, was already cramped. The society conducted a campaign to raise funds for expansion which was completed the following years. In 1995, to accommodate increased attendance. UUSE moved to a two-service Sunday format.

The Rev. Connie Sternberg began her ministry in 1989. During her 12-year tenure, she organized many popular programs. She established Pastoral Friends Committee to assist in care and support to members. Also, the congregation became a welcoming community for gays and lesbians. Connie retired in 2001 as Minister Emerita. The Rev. Peter Lanzillotta served as interim minister from 2001 – 2003.

Rev. Connie Sternberg

The Rev. Joshua Pawelek, who celebrated his 20th anniversary in 2023, joined as our new settled minister in 2003.

Today the congregation has about 300 pledging members and friends. The Children and Youth Ministry religious education program is strong and Sunday services are well attended. The society maintains its reputation for friendship, kindness and caring and its continued commitment to liberal religious ideals and social justice.