Unitarian Universalism in Hendersonville

In 1981, seventeen charter members founded the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville and received designation as a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association of America. Members and outside speakers led Sunday services, and we met in borrowed meeting spaces during those early years. A portable lectern held everything we owned.

Our First Minister

In 1990, our 85-member congregation called the Rev. Charles W. Grady to half-time ministry. Rev. Grady had retired to Hendersonville from one of the oldest churches in New England. Shortly after his arrival, we launched our Religious Education program.

Our Church Buildings

In 1994, the Fellowship purchased our church building and property, financed with loans from the members and a Chalice Lighter grant. The facility included a log cabin and cottage, and the new spaces allowed us to expand our activities and interaction with the community.

A Growing Staff and Full-Time Minister

In 1996, we hired our first part-time Director of Religious Education.

In 1997, the congregation called the Rev. James McKinley as its first full-time minister. Jim’s service and work with the Fellowship and his community activities contributed to continued member growth. The increasing presence of younger adults and families and the expanded religious education enrollment brings enriched intergenerational life to the Fellowship. Jim retired as our Minister in June of 2019.

Vicki Benavides stepped into the role of Director of Religious Education and grew the programming for our children and youth of the next 20 years. She retired in 2018. Religious Education took on a new name: Family Ministry in mid-2018 and subsequently Family Ministries in 2019.

The growing staff was able to move into an office after the 1998 purchase of a house adjoining the property.

In 2001, Katherine Price, our talented pianist and flutist, was appointed Music Director.

Renovations and Sustainability

In 2012, after two years of planning and design work, our congregation voted to renovate our present facility on Kanuga Road, so that it would better reflect who we are and enable us to more fully live out our mission. We met for about 6-months at the Agudas Israel Synagogue during the renovation.

In 2015 and 2016, we installed solar panels on our building and undertook other green initiatives. We are recognized as a Green Sanctuary.

A Time of Transition

2019 was a time of change and growth as many of our long-time team members retired. Our fellowship worked hard to update how our group is organized through the Governance and Ministry Task Force. Rev. Don Rollins served as our interim minister from 2019-2022.

In 2020, Wanda Hughes stepped into the role of Office Manager.

In 2022, Sunday Parker became our Coordinator of Family Ministry.

And from 2022-2024, we were fortunate to have Rev. Terry Davis as our part-time minister.

Looking Forward

In 2024, the fellowship called Rev. George Grimm-Howell, MDiv, as our settled minister. He and his spouse and life partner, Betsy, moved to Hendersonville in August 2024.

The Fellowship is a vigorous and energized congregation, anticipating its journey into the future with continued ministry to its congregation, concern for the wider community, and the education of its children and youth for responsible citizenship.