16th Century:
In the sixteenth century, Christian humanists in Central Europe and Transylvania-studied the Bible closely. They could not find the orthodox dogma of the Trinity in the texts. Therefore, they affirmed-as did Jesus, per the Gospels-the unity, or oneness, of God. Hence, they acquired the name Unitarian.
1961:
In 1961 the two merged into one religion called Unitarian Universalist and the UU Association of congregations was born.
1982-1983:
They began meeting at the YMCA building in 1982 (known now as Leisure Square) and received the Charter from the UUA in March of that year. In February of 1983 the first part-time minister was hired, Rev Arthur Broadhurst. In late 1983 the congregation moved to the Woman’s Club near downtown Vero Beach
2002-2003:
In 2000 Rev Speck resigned to take on a new role at the UUA…it took until September of 2001 for Interim Minister Rev Don Vaughn-Forster to come on board, a little later Claudia Jiminez became the Director of Religious Education. In April 2002, the second Settled Minister, Rev Gail Geisenhainer was voted in by the congregation.
Mid-2005:
In mid-2005, with the congregation growing, a new home was sought.
As property acquisition would be required for any building expansion to be undertaken, in 2005 UUFVB undertook a bold, if not audacious plan. A 33,000 square foot church facility on 5.2 acres was purchased from the former First Church of Christ building at 27th Avenue and 16th street.
A large mortgage was obtained for the new property with a business plan to supplement member support to service the debt. Two non-profit Enterprise businesses were created as sources of revenue to help pay for the annual mortgage: Bridges Early Learning Center, a state certified preschool and The Emerson Center, a cultural venue for hosting community events such as lectures, music concerts, and other forms of entertainment. The plan worked.
17th and 18th Century:
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, radical reformers in Europe and America also studied the Bible closely. They found, both in the Bible and in their own hearts, an unconditionally loving God and that salvation was for all. Because of this emphasis on universal salvation, they called themselves Universalists.
1981:
In April 1981 15 people gathered in the Vero Beach home of Shirley St John and began meetings which grew into the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach that we know today.
1991-1998:
By 1991 membership had grown to over 100 and the congregation selected its first full time Settled Minister, Rev Dr Richard Speck and they began meeting at Thompson Elementary School. In June of 1994 the congregation moved to its new home on 43rd Avenue, next door to Temple Beth Shalom. In February 1998, a new Sanctuary was completed on the property.
2002-2005:
In March of 2004 the Westar Jesus Institute held a weekend seminar at the UU Sanctuary attended by many non UU community members. In early 2005 a World Religions seminar was held which also drew many non UU community members.
Late-2005:
In late 2005 the first full time Administrator was hired, Pete Kersey. In 2008 Rev Geisenhainer departed for a large congregation up north and interim minister Rev Maureen Killoran came to serve. In 2010 our third Settled Minister, Rev Scott Alexander was called to serve the congregation full time. In 2021 Rev Scott Alexander retired and was followed by Interim minister, Rev Kaaren Anderson.
The congregational growth has continued. The Emerson Center is a very popular venue in the Vero Beach area and frequently hosts several sold out events. The mortgage was retired in the fall of 2020. The Bridges Committee provided oversight of the Bridges pre-school and in 2022, after many years of this arrangement, the Board of Trustees sold Bridges to the current Director of Bridges.