The 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis (UUCD) took place on Saturday, April 12, and was enjoyed by over 150 people. It had been twenty years since the congregation had celebrated the church’s progress. It seemed an appropriate time to reflect back to its beginnings and envision its future.

The theme of “Roots and Wings” was selected by the Historical Archives Team, chaired by Susan Steinbeck, to symbolize the duality of growth from its founding in 1954 by a group of liberal-minded parents, who desired meaningful education for their children, to its transformation in the present day into Lifespan Learning.

UUCD was chartered as a Unitarian Fellowship in 1958 and became a Unitarian Church in 1962. Over the past 70 years, its membership, grounds, landscape, buildings, worship programs, and social justice initiatives have expanded.

UUCD Board President Steve Burns and Event Emcee Karen Klussendorf accepted two large, framed proclamations presented to the congregation by church member and Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs from the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and from the honorable Mike Thompson, California House of Representatives. These will be hung in the church to document the church’s history and physical growth: land purchase (1963), construction of meeting house (1968), Bridgehouse (1971), Great Hall (1975), Office & Library (1990), and Social Hall and Kitchen (2011).

UUCD has had eight ministers. Four were honored guests at the celebration: Rev. Joy Atkinson (1977-1986), Rev. Jay Atkinson (1986-2000), Rev. Beth Banks (2000-2022), and Rev. Angeline Jackson (2024-present); two are deceased: Rev. Bob Senghas (1963-1971) and Rev. Charles Slap (1971-1977); and two were unable to attend: Minister of Congregational Life, Rev. Morgan McLean (2017-2022) and Interim Minister, Rev. Connie Simon (2022-2024). Rev. Dr. Roger Jones of the UU Society of Sacramento was also in attendance.

The Stewardship Committee, represented by Karen Friis and Sarah Larkin, was co-hosted with the Archives Team for the celebration. They decorated the social hall and patio tables with festive floral arrangements and set out a delicious buffet menu. Virginia Thigpen and Carol Corbett served wine, and the music was provided by the Putah Creek Crawdads. Earlier members of the Crawdads, Chip Northup, Ray Coppock, and Cap Thomson, created the group in the mid-sixties along with Mark Fayes. They played acoustic bluegrass and folk music for a variety of church and public events, just as the newer Crawdads do.

UUCD has evolved into a growing, racially diverse, and multicultural church, with social and environmental justice deeply embedded in its identity. In 2003, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) designated UUCD as a Welcoming Congregation, affirming and including LGBTQ+ individuals in all aspects of congregational life. In 2006, the congregation received a Green Sanctuary designation, integrating sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. It also declared itself a Sanctuary in October 2017 to support local immigration and undocumented individuals.

The April 12 anniversary celebration was live-streamed for those who could not attend in person. All 70th anniversary events and recent past services can be reviewed online by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU8Xc-kAg2_jx7h-ESTFRzg/videos