A Brief History of Our Church

Robert (Bob) and Jean Staff, residents of DeLand, felt the need for a liberal-thinking group in town. They, along with Ed and Ruby Douglass and Majorie Schwarze, joined the Church of the Larger Fellowship, a branch of the UUA in Boston, and invited other liberal thinkers of the area to join them.   In May 1976, meetings were first held at the Chamber of Commerce building.  With the addition of other like-minded people, they moved to the Women’s Club on Michigan Avenue.  On November 7, 1976, the growing group voted to become a full-fledged UU church.  Speakers were brought in from Stetson and other interesting offerings were presented.  Thus, began a path to our present-day Church.

 On January 11, 1977, Bob Staff, the first President of our church sent a letter to the Unitarian Universalist Association announcing the beginning of liberal religion in DeLand.  It was to be called the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeLand. 

Read more about Our Buildings and Our Symbol.