Notes on Two Hundred Years (and More)
by Douglas H. Parkhurst
The Rev. Harry Hersey prepared a short history which was printed in the 125th anniversary program of First Universalist Church (now Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury or UUCD) in October 1947. A photocopy of the anniversary program is in the congregation’s archives and not readily available to the casual reader. It will do well to reproduce this history here, as written. Some comments and updates on the text appear below.
A Brief History of the First Universalist Church in Danbury 1822 – 1947
Origin – The first authentic date of Universalist preaching in Danbury is 1807, in the court house (on present location) by Rev. Hosea Ballou, D.D. There is a tradition that Rev. John Murray, founder of the Universalist church in America, preached here, when he was in Connecticut not long after he came to America (1770). After 1807 and until 1822 there were occasional services held in homes of Universalists in Great Plain. These resulted, December 9, 1822, in the organization there of “The First Universalist Society in Danbury.”
Edifices – Services were held in the court house until 1833. Then a church was built at the corner of Wooster and Main Streets. In 1852 the church on Liberty Street was erected. The present edifice, on Main Street was built in 1893 on a lot costing $12,000. Joseph T. Bates and Mrs. Laura Scott (later Mrs. Fanton), contributed $5,000 each and $2,500 was contributed when the church was dedicated.
Our Ministers – It seems inadvisable to publish a complete roster of men who have served as ministers, since no list thus far compiled has been accurate. The State Librarian is now preparing what will be as accurate a list as possible, for later publication. The first minister was Rev. Thomas King, 1822-24. During the fifty-seven succeeding years there was a large number of “supplies,” and a remarkable number of one-to-two year pastorates. Rev. George H. Deere held the first long pastorate, 1852-56. In 1871 Rev. Dwight M. Hodge came and stayed ten years. After that A.J. Aubrey, 1881-85; James H. Vincent, 1891-97; Charles P. Hall, 1897-1903; Alfred J. Cardall, 1903-09; Elliott Bates Barber, 1912-20; Gustave H. Leining, 1922-27 and Harry Adams Hersey, 1930 to date, served terms of more than average length (in our denomination.) When the complete roster is compiled, mimeographed copies will be furnished. Please preserve this historical program and add the roster when you receive it. (Honorary degrees awarded several of the ministers are omitted, since they were probably awarded in later years. Three of the ministers, Case, Deere and Leining were ordained in this church.)
Theological Atmosphere – Fierce theological controversy and slanderous and libelous opposition to the Universalist Church, with its “Larger Faith,” raged in the early years. But as sectarian strife everywhere decreased and liberal views increased, the sterling character and community service of Universalists commended them to their fellow-men and resulted in Christian fellowship. In 1893, when the church was dedicated, and in 1897 at the seventy-fifth anniversary, Baptist, Methodist, Disciples, Congregationalists and Christian Advent (1897) ministers united in a service of “Fellowship and Goodwill.” In 1910, The Disciples and Congregational ministers, expressed admiration for Universalism and one of them stated that he was raised in a Universalist church. So for more than half a century our Church has been recognized as a fellowship of Christians.
Anniversaries – No report of the twenty-fifth and fiftieth anniversaries, if held, have been found. There was a notable seventy-fifth anniversary in 1897 with several churches of the city participating by addresses of their ministers. The one hundredth anniversary was observed December 9-10, 1922. A home-gathering supper and program was held on Saturday evening. Mrs. Charles Lawson made a large “birthday cake,” decorated with one hundred candles, for the occasion. On Sunday, Dean Lee S. McCollester, D.D., of the Tufts College Theological School, preached on “The Contribution and Evolution of Universalism.” In the evening a congregation which completely filled the church and adjoining room heard Rev. Joseph Fort Newton, D.D., then minister of the Universalist Church in New York City, speak on “The Church of the Future.” A great occasion, not an anniversary, was the burning of the $20,000 mortgage note, in October 1910. There was a notable address by Rev. J. Smith Dodge, D.D. Again clergymen of Danbury churches participated.
Organizations – The Church School may have existed from the founding of the church, 1822. We know that it existed as early as 1849. A Mission Circle, organized in 1870, existed for several years. The Ladies Aid has had a long history of devoted service. Men’s clubs have flourished from time to time.
The organization of the Young People’s Christian Union, November 1891, was one of the most notable and fruitful events in the history of the church. The Union has existed continuously for fifty-six years. It has given the church and the choir at least one hundred members each. It has contributed more than $20,000 to local, state and national denominational enterprises and many other worthy causes. It purchased the piano, contributed towards the organ and has now paid $200 for organ renovation. Two national, and at least thirty state officers have come from the Union ranks. The fiftieth anniversary, November 5-9, 1941, was extensively observed; first by a banquet in Hotel Green, where a former minister, Rev. Gustave H. Leining, D.D., spoke, and second by two services on Sunday. Rev. Harry Adams Hersey, D.D. gave an historical address. In the evening the National President and National Youth Director were the speakers, and William P. Treadwell, charter member, spoke of the early days. An elaborate program, with history and list of all officers, past and present, was published. One member, Raymond C. Hopkins, has entered the ministry.
Denominational Spirit – Throughout its history our church has been notable for its large representation at all denominational gatherings and conventions. Two ministers, Rev. Gustave H. Leining, D.D and Rev. Harry Adams Hersey have served as Secretary of the Connecticut Universalist Convention, an aggregate of 16 years. Mrs. Hersey has served as State President of the Women’s Organization and for eight years on the Northfield Interdenominational Conference Committee.
Contribution to Danbury – Both clergy and laity have been very active in all community enterprises. A permanent contribution to the institutions of the city was made by the long-time church school superintendent, the late Laura Scott Fanton. In her will she gave “in perpetuity” her estate on Deer Hill Avenue for an historical museum. By action of the court and the state legislature that has now been merged with the Danbury Historical Museum and Arts Center, Inc., under the name of The Danbury Scott-Fanton and Historical Museum, Inc.
Today and Tomorrow – Today, in a redecorated church, with a renovated organ, with an active and progressive board of trustees, the Universalist Church faces the future, rejoicing in the new day when it is recognized as a Christian church of the liberal faith, with a modern attitude to truth “known and to be known.”
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Comments and Updates
The first court house referred to dated from 1785 and the second from 1824. Both were located at what is now 71 Main Street, on the present site of the former Fairfield County Court House, built in 1899. Solomon Glover of Newtown was ordained a Universalist minister in 1801, one of the earliest in Connecticut. It is possible he preached in Danbury before Hosea Ballou visited in 1807.
The 1893 church was at 347 Main Street. It was UUCD’s last permanent home in Danbury before the moves to West Redding and now 24 Clapboard Ridge Road. Mrs. Laura Scott of Ridgefield, who donated $5,000, was the mother of Mrs. Laura Scott Fanton.
Albert Case ministered in Danbury in 1834, George Deere in 1849-1851. Salmon Bulkeley first served in 1836-38 and later in 1852-1856. Gustav Leining served 1922-27. Others ordained in Danbury were Edward Smiley (1856), A. J. Aubrey (1881), Fred Hammond (2007), and Sierra-Marie Gerfao (2021). Daniel O’Connell was ordained in West Redding (1996). Harry Hersey retired in 1948. The UUCD did not have a woman minister full-time until Jean Gilpatrick, interim appointment, 1987-1988. The first woman settled minister was Barbara Pescan, 1988-1995.
The 100th anniversary celebration was a four-day observance, December 8-11, 1922.
Denominational records show a Church School in existence in 1838. Rev. Hersey does not exaggerate the importance of the Young People’s Christian Union in Danbury. Youthful members in the 1910s and 20s were still active in the 1960s in the renamed Universalist-Unitarian Church. In 1961 Rev. Raymond Hopkins became the first executive vice president of the newly formed Unitarian Universalist Association.
The Scott-Fanton Museum is now called Danbury Museum and Historical Society, located at 43 Main Street.