Unitarian Church of Vancouver

Unitarian Church of Vancouver (UCV) is the largest Unitarian congregation in British Columbia, Canada, and the oldest, established in 1909.[1]

Unitarian Church of Vancouver
Unitarian Church of Vancouver
Location in Metro Vancouver
49.2267517°N 123.1298893°W / 49.2267517; -123.1298893
LocationVancouver, British Columbia
CountryCanada
DenominationUnitarian Universalist
Architecture
Architect(s)Wolfgang Gerson
Clergy
Minister(s)Rev. Dr. Steven Epperson

The church meets every Sunday morning in the building at 949 West 49th Avenue (at Oak) in Vancouver.

The church has many active groups and committees and also offers space to various organizations.

Beliefs

Like most North American Unitarian congregations, the belief system could be phrased as "spiritual but not religious." Rev. Phillip Hewett was quoted in the Vancouver Courier saying,“The Unitarian movement has been set up to be based on personal spirituality, your own development, rather than adherence to a particular creed”.[2]

Advocacy and social responsibility

The congregation has an active Environment Committee.

In 2012, the congregation divested Enbridge stock and encouraged members to do the same.[3]

Architecture

The building was designed by member and architect, Wolfgang Gerson, and has won architectural awards. It was constructed in the 1960s.

UCV’s award-winning 1964 buildings, the sanctuary, Hewett Centre, and the office building, are noted for their "simplicity and serenity". In 1998 they were voted among the "most beautiful" in Vancouver by a panel of architectural experts.[4]

The Fireside Room is noted for being an early meeting place of the Don't Make a Wave Committee, which later evolved into Greenpeace. It received a Places That Matter designation and plaque noting this history.[5]

The site has two labyrinths on the property. One is a classical three-circuit square and the other a double-processional labyrinth in the garden on the west side.[6]

Leadership

The current minister is Rev. Dr. Steven Epperson, who came to the congregation in 2001.

Rev. Phillip Hewett was parish minister for 35 years from 1956 to 1991. He was appointed minister emeritus. He died February 24, 2018, at the age of 93.[7]

References
  1. "Congregational Membership Statistics (2003)". Canadian Unitarian Council/Conseil unitarien du Canada. Archived from the original on January 16, 2011.
  2. Johnson, Pat. "Unitarian movement based on personal spirituality". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  3. Makortoff, Kalyeena. "Church dumps Enbridge stock in pipeline protest". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  4. Unitarian Church of Vancouver (October 16, 2009). "History". Unitarian Church of Vancouver. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. UCV’s award-winning 1964 buildings, the sanctuary, Hewett Centre, and the office building, are noted for their "simplicity and serenity." In 1998 they were voted among the "most beautiful" in Vancouver by a panel of architectural experts.
  5. "Unitarian Church of Vancouver • Vancouver Heritage Foundation". Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  6. Johnson, Pat. "Meditative labyrinths come full circle in Vancouver". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  7. "Remembering Phillip Hewett". Canadian Unitarian Council Conseil unitarien du Canada. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
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