More than a century before officially uniting in the 1960s, Unitarians and Universalists gathered under one roof on Mayo Street in downtown Richmond. In 1833, they called themselves the First Unitarian Society of Richmond, and met at the First Independent Church with a minister ordained by both Unitarian and Universalist associations. During the Civil War, the minister and other members supporting the Union or abolitionist sentiments — here, in the capital of the Confederacy — were arrested, and the church dissolved. Then, in the late 1800s, the First Unitarian Church formed in Richmond.

In the late 1900s, with a regional population of over a million, it was believed the area
could support two UU churches. A group at First Church dreamed of a smaller, closer-knit, family-oriented community that shared UU principles and complemented the city church’s humanistic approach with attention to our spiritual side.

UUCC’s Founders Dinner in January 2025 celebrated
charter members.

The Unitarian Universalist Community Church sprang amicably from the First Unitarian
Church in 1993, meeting in homes and schools until a new building site was located
(within a five-mile radius of Broad Street and Gaskins Road). Our six acres in Glen Allen
were purchased in 1995 from a tree nursery business. In the years leading up to
UUCC’s formal opening, the founding members established long-range plans, fundraising, strong leadership, and a bond with the national UU Association as well as a choir, social justice efforts, religious education and caring ministries. The first service in our new building was held in 2001.

UUCC honors our connection with nature with a labyrinth, fire pit, two playgrounds,
picnic tables and benches, a walking trail through the woods, and memorial gardens. As
our church has grown we’ve added a free library, a wind phone, and a slate patio with
inscriptions noting unions, families and deaths.

As a Unitarian Universalist community, we welcome all seekers, including atheists, agnostics,
pagans, and those on Christian, Jewish, and other faith journeys. We celebrate
diversity. Now in our 31st year, we continue to offer numerous ways for members and
friends to engage in our beloved community.