Unitarian Universalism is a living, evolving tradition rooted in love. Historically, Unitarian Universalism (UU) is the merger of two faith traditions that have, over time, evolved out of Christian roots into a religion that brokers no creed or dogma and is free to responsibly explore the depths of truth and meaning.
Unitarianism began as a branch of Christianity that believed that god was not triune, but a single divine being and that Jesus was no more divine than anyone else, though perhaps more attuned than most to justice and divinity.
Universalism also began as a Christian heresy. Proclaiming that no god would create beings to then damn them to eternal pain, Universalists avowed a doctrine of Universal salvation.
Both traditions subsequently, and radically, evolved. By the mid 1800’s, Unitarianism fomented the Transcendentalist movement, with its champions, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Parker, and Margaret Fuller. Meanwhile, the Universalist concept of salvation evolved away from theological orientation and into the here and now, achievable through good policy and just systems. Univeralists Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross Thus it was that both traditions found themselves growing beyond the precepts of any variety of Christianity.
Their liberal theologies and socio-political concerns led the youth of both traditions to advocate for a merger. In 1961, the Unitarian Universalist Association was born. Their braiding spawned a new thing that both harkens back to the traditions that gave it birth and looks forward to new horizons.
We have been on the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender inclusion for over 40 years. As a people of varied sexual orientations and gender identities, we celebrate our whole and holy selves.
Today, the Unitarian Universalism Association is led by Dr. Rev Sofia Betancourt. As a tradition, we continue to evolve while retaining aspects of that which we grew out of. We recently adopted a new set of core values that are as theological as they are practical: Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity - all rooted in Love. We’ve grown from Christian to Humanist and now find ourselves in another transitory phase, one informed by eco-spirituality and anti-oppression in addition to the many wisdom traditions the world over.
We are spiritually vibrant and seek to live our values. This calls us to work for justice as we seek to embody the beloved community. We have a long tradition of activism, championing mental health, ecological justice, LGBTQ+ rights, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. Unitarian Universalism has been, and continues to be a living tradition, a vibrant tradition, and a loving tradition.
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.
We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.
We adapt to the changing world.
We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
The Unitarian Church’s official presence in Colorado Springs dates to August 9, 1874 when ordained Universalist minister Eliza Tupper Wilkes organized the city’s first Unitarian congregation. Reverend Wilkes was a part of the Iowa Sisterhood, a cohort of women Unitarian ministers who changed the course of Unitarianism. She was a vocal suffragist and a leading founder of Colorado College. Unfortunately, the altitude became a health concern for her and one of her children. Along with her family, she relocated to South Dakota in 1878 and went on to found All Souls of Sioux Falls.
It was twelve years later that the reorganization of Unitarians in Colorado Springs emerged and All Souls Unitarian Church formally founded on February 25, 1891 with bylaws and constitution. We had 60 founding members including Jerome B. Wheeler, Louis Ehrich, Capt. Seth Baker, Augusta W. Warren, Augusta A. Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Francis B Hill, and Susan Dunbar. Members were prominent among humanity and justice seekers of early Colorado Springs.
We were first led by the Rev. William R.G. Mellen. He retired after 4 years, only to pass away days later. The tenure of many of All Souls early ministers was short. Several arrived with impressive credentials, but ill health and poor pay limited their stay. That changed in 1925 with Rev. Hurley Begun's 35-year-long ministry at All Souls Unitarian. During the Begun years, the church saw physical renovations as well as an expansion of programming. Begun wrote A Story of a Church, a compiled a history of All Souls, which was published by the church in 1944.
Our community continued its tradition of fostering and attracting movers and shakers. Singer and African American social activist Paul Robeson addressed a crowd at 730 Tejon in 1948. Elizabeth Wright Ingraham was a member from 1955 until 2013. For our 1991 Centennial, she recalled, "In the 50s we deplored brinkmanship, fought the shocking tactics of McCarthyism, leafleted against nuclear testing, and cheered the wonders of the communication revolution. In the 60s we stood up to be counted in the anti-war movement, the equal rights movement, the push for a cleaner environment.” Rev. Orloff Miller, All Souls Senior minister from 1968 to 1972 participated in the Civil Rights March in Selma Alabama. He was with the UU minister, the Rev. James Reeb, who was killed. During the 1970s protests of the Vietnam War, All Souls provided meeting space and hosted activist and singer Joan Baez. In the 1990s All Souls was active in offering meeting space fo various groups opposed to the anti-gay Ammendment 2, acting as ground zero for the movement. During the same time, All Souls stood up for free speech when we hosted Poor Richard's Bookstore to show the controversial film “The Last Temptation of Christ”. Members of the conservative religious community picketed outside while it played to sold out crowds. In 1997, along with Temple Shalom & New Life Church, All Souls sponsored Holocaust survivor, teacher of tolerance, and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel.
All Souls helped to seed High Plains Unitarian Universalist Church in 1995. A vibrant community, High Plains served the city’s north side for almost 3 decades, dissolving in 2023.
The Rev. Dr. Ellen Johnson-Fay was called to be the Senior Minister at All Souls in 1999. She retired in July of 2006 after more than forty years of service in the areas of religious education and parish ministry. At her retirement, All Souls voted to confer upon Ellen the title of Minister Emerita. She continues to reside in Colorado Springs and is a member of All Souls UU Church.
As a Sanctuary Church we have hosted people seeking asylum, and are prepared if called to action again. We frequently support rallies for liberal causes, including a 2017 rally in support of the Colorado Springs Muslim community in the wake of an attempted travel ban from seven Middle Eastern nations. The morning following the 2022 Club Q shooting, All Souls opened our sanctuary for two services for those grieving.
The Rev. Ron Phares was called to All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in 2023. We come from a rich history of activists and spiritual seekers and continue that tradition today.
Rooted in a community of love, the mission of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church is to cultivate compassion, foster spiritual connection, and enact transformative justice to heal ourselves and the world.
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church has stood at the corner of North Tejon and East Dale Streets, just south of Colorado College campus, since 1892. The total cost of the lot, building, heating units, and furnishings was less than $22,500, using the best available materials. The original building with its single-clad exterior is square with a Norman tower. The walls are irregular uncut granite boulders. Its large hall (sanctuary) with flooring of long-leaf pine seats 250 persons in a fan-shaped democratic layout. It features exposed wooden beams and arches. Sliding doors to the rear separated the large from the small hall, with its once Sunday School room and ladies parlor. Originally a kitchen stood in the church’s basement and a dumbwaiter was utilized to move food to the small hall for church dinners. The church was not electrified until the 20th century.
Since 1926 a substantial number of improvements have been made to All Souls. A major alteration to the structure in 1950 was a basement addition which included a nursery and Sunday School classrooms. In 1985 an upper story was added over the basement addition. Our church was officially listed in the Colorado State Register for Historic Properties in 2007. The state historic fund has awarded us several grants since, including $200,000 to restore the building's 56 original Gothic leaded glass windows in 2012. All Souls has enjoyed more than a century of being both an architecturally and theologically distinctive beacon on North Tejon.