Welcome to the Universalist National Memorial Church
The Universalist National Memorial Church is one-of-a-kind in the Nation's capital. It is a parish drawn diversely from the metropolitan Washington area, yet was built to serve as the national representative of the Universalist Church of America, which consolidated with the American Unitarian Association in 1961. The Universalists are so named for making universal salvation the cornerstone of Christian faith, a religiously democratizing proposition, traceable to the third century theologian Origen and the apostolic age.
Universalism is dedicated to the one loving God, Creator of all people. It grew rapidly in Colonial America; the first church gathered in 1779 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Later Universalists were prominent social reformers and leaders in education, publishing, and business. We cherish individual freedom of belief, congregational self-government, and the supreme worth of all life. Our church embraces the good news of God's love and trusts implicitly in the sincerity of the individual seeker.
In Washington D.C., the Universalists were present before the Civil War, but did not organize formally until 1869. To reflect our national mission, we took the name Universalist National Memorial Church, and moved into this building in 1930. The building, designed by Francis H. Allen and Charles Collens of Boston, who were also the architects for the Riverside Church in New York, and the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, has its roots in Romanesque architecture from English, French, and Italian traditions.
We have come together into this community for mutual support as each of us makes a disciplined search for the truth. We acknowledge that as human beings we grow and change and what may seem certain at one point in our lives may change as we grow and mature spiritually. As pilgrims in life, we share our discoveries and respect each other for wherever the truth may lead us.
Most Sundays, our form of worship is a regular series of prayers, readings, music, and a sermon. You are not obliged to say or sing any portion of the worship service. On the other hand you are welcome to say every part, even if you are experimenting with your faith.
Our Declaration of Faith was adopted by the Universalist General Convention in 1899 and reflects the language and beliefs of Universalists at that time. Recitation of the Declaration of Faith, or any part of it, is optional in this church. Many members of the church, however, recite some or all of it each Sunday to honor early Universalist, to carry on their traditions and beliefs, or because it embodies elements of their own faith.
After worship, join us for coffee, punch, and refreshments. Each week, volunteers hosts and hostesses cater an hour of hospitality and conversation , held either in the Romaine-van Schaick room (on the same level as the sanctuary) or in Perkins Hall (directly below the sanctuary) as announced. Because our members would like to greet you and give you a special welcome, we ask visitors to use the blue mugs and punch glasses.
Real Questions Visitors Have Asked
Where is the . . . ?
The restrooms are on the level
below the sanctuary. Take the stairs in front of the front door down
one flight, then turn left and passing through the double doors,
walk up the ramp to find the restrooms. The nursery and children's
classrooms are on the second and third floors, which can be reached
by using the stairs in front of the front door. We regret that our
church is not wheelchair accessible.
What are those words above the altar?
It is hard to
read this favored Universalist text: "God is love, and he that
dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." This the
first half of the first letter of John 4:16, in the King James
Version. The same half-verse is rendered "God is love, and
those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them"
in the New Revised Standard Version, the version most often used in
the church today.
What was this church before this congregation owned it?
This
building was constructed for the Universalist National Memorial
Church. Funds came from a nation-wide campaign in the 1920s and the
congregation, which dates to 1869, opened it Palm Sunday 1930. There
are two Universalist-themed stained glass windows at the lower left
side of the church. The ship is the Hand-in-Hand, the vessel
that brought Universalist pioneer John Murray to America. Its
grounding on the New Jersey coast allowed Murray to meet local
farmer Thomas Potter, who inspired him to return to the ministry.
You may notice the ship is grounded on a sandbar in the window. The
cross and stylized globe represents "the final harmony of all
souls with God."
Why is there a sword (in the stained glass window) pointing at
the minister's head?
The images of sword (left), anchor
(right), and chalice (center) are emblems for the chief virtues of
faith, hope, and love as preached by the Apostle Paul in the
thirteenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians. This
passage is commonly read at weddings. The Apostle Paul is commonly
identified in religious art with a sword of faith. The anchor of
hope specifically refers to the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter six,
verses nineteen and twenty, which was formerly thought to have been
written by Paul. This, more than the others, is emblematic of
Universalism itself, and is why the church newsletter is called the
Universalist Anchor. The chalice represents Jesus'
self-giving love (and a call to us for commitment) at his last meal
with his student-friends ("the disciples").
When does the church have communion? Am I welcome to take
communion?
The church shares the communion on Sunday about
every three months, at important church holidays. Depending on the
calendar, there are two or three non-Sunday communion services a
year. These are announced in the Universalist Anchor
newsletter and in the order of worship when a service is near. All
who wish to receive the communion (also called the Lord's Supper or
the Eucharist) are welcome to take it. This invitation is enshrined
in the Universalist tradition of hospitality, and is even protected
in the church bylaws! Here, "all means all" and includes
people routinely excluded in other churches on the basis of
membership, baptism, theological convictions, sexual orientation, or
custom. Parents or guardians may decide if they give their small
children the bread and cup. The bread contains only flour, water,
yeast, and salt. The "wine" is plain grape juice.
We extend an invitation to membership to all persons who are at home in worship and fellowship here. You may join the church by accepting our bond of union. We impose neither creed nor dogma as a test of church membership. Please call the office (202-387-3411) to arrange an appointment with the minister. Formal recognition of membership occurs at stated times of the year.