The Farmington Union Society began the planning of this New England style meeting house in 1849. Before 1850 some material had been bought and stored. In the spring of 1852 the building project began in earnest. Within 9 weeks a site of nearly one acre had been bought for $200, and before the end of the summer the church had been built and occupied.
The original building, 20 by 30 feet, which cost $900, is still used, after numerous enlargements and re-modelings, by the Universalist Unitarians. The date of the original dedication was August 28th, 1853. About 14 persons contributed to the building's cost of construction.
The early days of the Farmington Universalist Church, as it had become known by in 1866, were days of tumultuous events. The slavery issue, which was to tear the Nation asunder, was uppermost in the minds of its citizens. Although most Michigan people opposed it, a strong minority supported slavery. Some of the older members of the Farmington congregation recall having heard that anti- slavery meetings were held in the Union Church. At least one of these meetings, the story goes, was addressed by Sojourner Truth, the celebrated Negro fugitive who visited Farmington on several occasions.
Now known as the Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington, this church was moved in 1967 from Warner near Thomas Street in Farmington to the Gibson Centennial Farm on this site. It is the oldest church building in Farmington, and the oldest Universalist Church in Michigan.
The appearance of the building, which is listed on the Michigan State Register of Historic Buildings, has changed over the years as it was enlarged several times or remodeled, beginning in 1901. In 1949 the building was turned so that it faced Warner St. in Farmington. Photographs from these earlier times are displayed in the building.
In 1984-85 the church was enlarged to include five more rows of pews, increasing the total seating to 168, a new modern kitchen was installed in the extension of the building, adjacent to the hospitality hall downstairs. All exterior details of the Meeting House enlargement were reviewed by the Farmington Hills Historical Commission to assure that the appearance and early character of the building were maintained.
Compiled by: A. B. Morrill, September 19, 1987
Significant Dates in the History of the
Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington
1840s
The precise date of the first Universalist services was not recorded, but contemporary writings show that the denomination was beginning to gain a foothold in the 1840s.
The Union Society was established. This was made up of Universalists.
1852
In the spring, the building project began. Before the end of the summer, the church was built and occupied.
August 28, 1853
The Dedication Service was held.
October 1866
Members abandoned the old designation "Union Society" and set up "The First Universalist Church of Farmington."
March 21, 1901
The church building was remodeled. "It was a major undertaking, involving rebuilt foundation, construction of a vestibule, installation of a furnace, new pews and carpeting, alteration of the steeple, re-roofing and repainting."
November 4, 1905
At a meeting of the Union Society and the Universalist Church, it was "Moved and supported that the name of the Union Society be dropped and Universalist adopted instead; that the trustees be elected as in the Union Society."
1949
The Farmington Meeting House was extensively remodeled. The building was turned so that the narthex faces Warner Street, and a modern heating plant was installed. A higher foundation made possible the completing of a large basement room with adjoining kitchen, "which was christened Adams Hall in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Adams."
1953
Planned remodeling was completed. This included the beautification of the narthex and steeple, re-carpeting, redecorating, landscaping and the building of a new walk at the front.
May 1961
The Universalist and Unitarian denominations finally complete the process of unification that had begun decades earlier.
December 13, 1961
"Regarding the corporate name, Mr. Dawson, after talking with Mr. Kelley, the attorney, presented the necessary documents, which still had to be signed by the secretary. The secretary signed these documents and also gave Mr. Dawson the proper name of this Church, as mentioned in the current constitution." From the minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting. Hence the new name "The Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington."
The members of the church consciously voted to place the name "Universalist" first in memory of our Universalist heritage. UUCF is today one of only fourteen congregations in North America to place the name Universalist before the name Unitarian.
January 18, 1967
The church building was moved from the site where it had stood for 115 years to its new home on Halsted Road.
