Strafford’s best-known Universalist of the 19th century was Senator Justin Smith Morrill, remembered for the Morrill Land Grant Act that established federal funding for our nation’s public universities. (Morrill eventually switched from Universalism to Unitarianism.)

In the first half of the 20th century, the Universalist Church in South Strafford was led by the Rev. Harry Fay Fister, and then by Rev. Weston Cate and various visiting ministers. For most of the 20th century, until 1980, services were held only in summer. Then, in 1980, the Church became inactive and the parsonage was sold. During the years when the Society was inactive, Liz Harrington and later her niece Jane Phelps worked hard to keep the building and grounds in good repair and ready for rebirth.

In May of 2002, after 22 years of inactivity, that rebirth occurred. A group of 20 people joined the Church and revitalized it as a place of worship for liberal thinkers in Strafford. The Church became affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association. At first, services were lay-led with guest speakers and ministers on the lst and 3rd Sundays of every month.

In December 2006 Dr. M’ellen Kennedy was hired to preach on the lst Sunday of each month. Her contract has since been increased and she preaches at our two services each month.

For the first time in many decades, the Church is now active year ‘round. During the warmer months services are held in the historic church building. When it gets too cold, services move just across the street to Barrett Memorial Hall.

In 2008 The Univeralist Society of Strafford had the pleasure of conducting a service of Ordination of Dr. Kennedy into the Universalist Ministry. The service was conducted before a full house of worshippers and ministers from churches throughout our area and representatives from the Unitarian Universalist Association.

While the congregation is still small, it is slowly growing, and the Chirch is extraordinarily active. Current major events include a summer-time folk concert series that in 2011 will be in its 8th season. 

In December all the bakers of the congregation bake up a storm and  create cookies that are sold at a Cookie Walk held at Coburn’s store just before the holidays. The congregation also participates in the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee annual “Guest at your Table” fundraiser for local and international outreach and care.

The Church has a winter film series, with monthly screenings of documentary films, followed by facilitated discussions. There are also Adult Religious Education Courses – most recently on Meditation – that have been attended both by Church members and by friends in the community.  Hikes, a Solstice Celebration, and Easter Sunrise Service have all been popular events.

In 2011 the Universalist Society of Strafford will be 213 years old, and it is once again going strong.