Our History
In 1950, the Breggers and the Rutledges joined with ten Unitarians in
Greenville to form the Unitarian Fellowship of Greenville.
By 1954, there were enough Unitarians in Clemson to organize a local
congregation. In March of 1954, the twelve charter members brought
together the Unitarian Fellowship of Clemson. Members met in the
homes of various members.
In 1958, the Fellowship began meeting in the Clemson YMCA. By 1974 the
membership had increased to fifty, and had outgrown the facilities at
the Y. About that time, Merrill and Charlotte Palmer left the Methodist
Church because of conflict over race relations and found a new home in
the Fellowship, bringing with them their gift of music.
Starting in the 1970s, the congregation began offering the UUA sexuality education programs to adolescents from the larger community, to
grateful response.
Charter Members
John & Myra Bregger
Ray & Muriel Rutledge
Tate & Julia Lindsey
Albert & Margery Reed
Mrs. Ralph Kelly
Norma Pearson
Malcolm Steuer
Hazel Murray
In 1978, the congregation took a leap of faith and purchased two lots on
Pendleton Road in Clemson. Construction began in 1979 on the 25th
anniversary of the founding of the fellowship.
On April 20, 1980, the Clemson Unitarian Fellowship building was dedicated. Rapid growth of membership resulted in adding a Religious Education wing in 1984 and an enlarged parking lot in in 1986-88.
In 1988, the congregation changed its name to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson. In 2014 Eve Stevens, who was raised in the congregation, was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry and is currently serving a congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The present sanctuary was added in 1994, along with substantial renovations to the existing building in order to accommodate a growing congregation of about 90. The architectural shift reflected a change in the relationship of the congregation to the larger community as more open to the outside world and less barricaded from perceived hostility.
Section Title
About UUFC
Our Congregation
Founded 1954
For over half a century, our congregation has served those in pursuit of a community of love, strength and support that is larger than ourselves.
We seek to be an inclusive space, where the diverse perspectives, cultures, backgrounds and needs of our members are respected and valued.
We are a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA),
in the Southern Region, South Eastern District, Western Carolina Cluster.
Our Covenant
Our congregation is home to many different belief systems. Our covenants are the agreements that bind us in mutual respect to each other, our commuity and the world we live in.
We gather together in a spirit of love,
With justice as our guide.
This is our chosen covenant:
To dwell together in peace,
To seek the truth with freedom,
And to care for one another.
Our Minister
Our current minister is
Rev. Christina Branum-Martin. Christina joined us as interim minister as a graduate from Candler School of Divinity at Emory University.
Christina formerly served as a Religious Educator at Northwest UU in Sandy Springs, GA, and as Chaplain at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Our Principles
Our seven principles are the most basic, common guiding beliefs of all Unitarian Universalists.
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The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
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Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
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Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
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A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
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The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
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The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
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Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
You can find more information on the seven principles on UUA.org.
You can read about the Proposed 8th Principle on racial justice at 8thprincipleuu.org.
The congregation had several short-lived experiments with professional ministry in the 1980s, but by 1990s it was almost evenly divided between those who wanted to call a full-time minister and those who liked things just as they were. The question was tabled for a while. The Program Committee arranged for a monthly pulpit supply with ministers from other congregations.
In 1996, spurred on by the arrival the retired Rev. Ralph Stutzman, the congregation voted to initiate the process of seeking a full-time minister. The congregation voted in December 1997 to approve the appointment of Rev. Cynthia Prescott as an Extension Minister, ending 44 years as a lay-led fellowship.
In 1999, the congregation had the opportunity to buy two adjacent lots, one fronting on Pendleton Road and one fronting on Gregory Street. In 2001 UUFC purchased the building on Pendleton Road now known as Founders' House. The congregation raised the needed funds to not only purchase the building but also to build an environmentally responsible parking lot with grassed parking spaces supported by plastic grids, and to renovate the newly purchased building for office and meeting space.
With much joy, the financial council was able to announce the payment of the building mortgage in 2021, followed by a mortgage burning and celebratory barbeque.
Office Hours
Monday: 8am - 12pm
Tuesday: -- Closed --
Wednesday: 8am - 2pm
Thursday: 8am - 12pm
Friday: 8am - 12pm
Due to the small size of our office staff and volunteer staffing, please call if you are dropping by without an appointment, otherwise you might find we're out running errands!
Quick Contact List
Minister minister@uufc.org or 864-623-7917
UUFC Office admin@uufc.org or 864-654-5959
Music Director music@uufc.org
Webmaster websupport@uufc.org
Board President president@uufc.org
Faith Exploration dlff@uufc.org
Contact admin@uufc.org to request a full directory.