History

When the parishioners of the First Universalist Church of Orange began worshipping in the South Orange Meeting House in 1834, they shared the property with the Baptist and Orthodox churches. Funds to pay for the construction were raised by the sale of pews. In 1837 grants established the north part of town as North Orange and South Orange became simply Orange.

In 1851 a group of regular churchgoers drew up a request to organize a Universalist Society which was formed in November. Later, as the other churches ceased to meet in the building and it began to deteriorate, members voted to raise $2,000 to move it across the street on land donated by Rodney Hunt Company. The building was then renovated and located where it has since stood. On May 28, 1888, more than 30 years after it was moved, the proprietors voted to deed all property to the First Universalist Society of Orange. Like many churches, it had, until 1849, a dual form of organization. The Society was the business part, the holder of all church property and legal documents and the Church was the spiritual organization. While the Society was instituted in 1851, the Church organization was not formed until June 16, 1859.

In 1867 construction of a vestry and installation of a furace was suspended due to scarcity of workers following the Civil War, but was begun again the following year. In 1869 an organ was purchased.

Noteworthy events in the church's history include a lightning strike in 1887 to the steeple which contains a bell bearing the date of 1835. Lighting by kerosene lamps was abolished and electric lights were installed in 1888. The next year extensive repairs were made when the building was raised and a new vestry put under the auditorium. Seating capacity was increased by the transepts on either side and a kitchen was built. The cost was $8,128 with a mortgage of $4,000 with most of the balance paid by subscription. The mortgage was paid up in 1915.

In 1923 more repairs were made and again in 1950. A special dedicatory service was held April 15, 1951 when the new chancel and organ were dedicated. Our chancel is said to be one of the most attractive ones in the area.

The Ladies' Circle, formed around 1858, was the forerunner of the Marion E. Nason Unity Club, formed in 1920 for the purpose of distributing "sunshine" in the form of flowers and other gifts to the sick and shut-ins and has also been active in contributing toward church repairs and renovations.

The church was instrumental in the early 1950's in sponsoring five refugee families from Yugoslavia and Austria, four of whom stayed within our church family. Several of their children and grandchildren are participating in our church activities.

In recent years we have electrified our organ and installed chimes on the transept wall. An elevator chair, the first in town, was installed to offer aid to the handicapped.

The church was responsible, with other townspeople, in placing a peace statue in Veterans' Park. This statue was a tribute to the town's war heroes after World War I. Collections at our coffee hour now help to pay for flowers to be planted annually at the base of the statue, a task carried out by volunteers which include several members of the Unity Club.

In the late 1980's, the possibility of merging the Athol Unitarian Church and our congregation was explored; joint Sunday morning services and church school classes were held. Following this year-long trial merger, the congregations decided to remain separate.

The church donates to many community organizations and fundraisers on an annual basis or whenever there is a need that comes to our attention. We participate in "Loaves and Fishes", a meal program sponsored by local churches.