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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
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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.
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