A Brief History of the UUA
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, which was formed in 1961
by the merger of the American Unitarian Association, which was founded in 1825, and the
Universalist Church of America, which was founded in 1778.
The word Unitarian came into use in 16th century Transylvania as a term for a number of
groups who had pledged themselves not to persecute one another and to emphasize the unity
of oneness of God as distinct from the traditional view of the Trinity. The word
Universalist described those people who were opposed to the cruel doctrine that only the
elect of humankind will be saved. The Universalists believed that salvation is universal
for the whole of humankind.
Unitarian Universalists believe in the dignity and worth of every person, reverence for
all life, and the freedom of the individual to develop his or her own beliefs. Three of
the first six United States Presidents were Unitarians, including Thomas Jefferson.
UU and You
