Unitarian Universalism in Winona: 

A History of Four Congregations: 1864-2022 

Four hundred and thirty nine years ago,  the first Unitarian church was founded in 1568 in Transylvania, now known as Romania.    

Then in this  country, the first Universalist church was established in 1779, during the Revolutionary War, in Gloucester, MA.  In 1825, William Ellery Channing founded the American Unitarian Association.  

Then, in the same year Abe Lincoln was elected for a second term–1864, the First Congregational Unitarian Church was organized in Winona and thrived for 21 years, until 1885.   This was the “first generation” of Unitarians in Winona.

In 1888,  the “second generation” began when the First Unitarian Church was organized with a minister.  And in 1890, on the corner of Wabasha and Huff streets, they built a large church in the Arts and Crafts architectural style .Several ministers served its congregations, one of whom also served the Unitarians in Arcadia, Wisconsin. In 1911, the congregation was formally discontinued.  

But, this denomination is just determined to have a presence in Winona.  Fifty-two years later, in October of 1963, this newspaper article appeared: Chairman Kenneth Burmeister wrote, “Many people are already Unitarian-Universalists in their religious beliefs.  As a result, there exists in our community a need for a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.”  They met at the Hotel Winona.

Minutes from that first meeting state that  there would be no controversial subjects in early meetings for two reasons:  We do not wish to leave an impression that our sole objective is to attack the foundations of established religious organizations in our community.   Background is needed to sufficiently and adequately establish common understanding on fundamental issues.  Tellingly, it was just one month before the assassination of John F. Kennedy. This third generation was active for 15 years.

So, today, we are the fourth founding of Unitarian Universalists in Winona.  This group began in 1987.   Ray and Margaret Kiihne placed a short announcement in the newspaper, encouraging anyone who might be interested in exploring Unitarian Universalism to join us at their home for a discussion of this faith.   One year later, our newsletter listed 24 people as “friends and members,” and two years later, we began meeting at the Winona Arts Center every other Sunday for the next eight years.  

Probably the most significant event during those years was when Patti Neal stepped in to teach Religious Education. In fact, by 1997, there were so many children in the Art Center basement that we had to move to a larger place, East End Recreation Center. 

Hours of thoughtful discussions led to decisions by our Board and committees on issues that shaped this Fellowship: writing a mission statement, meeting every Sunday, and perhaps the most far-reaching: applying and receiving membership in the Unitarian Universalist Association in April, 1999.  And, we moved yet again, to Lourdes Hall on the WSU West Campus.  There, our music grew with us to include a band and a choir. In 2020, WSU building changes required that we move; we turned to the Guild Hall of Wesley United Methodist Church.  But, the Covid pandemic hit, so our services continued on line only until September 2021 when we were able to meet in person, masked and distanced.  And we continue to thrive proving that there is indeed still a need for a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Winona.