Our History - The Cornerstone of our Identity, Mission, and Vision

On April 8th, 1879, the Boston Daily Advertiser reported: "Thanks to the energy and enterprise of the Rev. M. K. Schermerhorn, pastor of the Unitarian Church in this city (Newport, RI), where the Rev. C. T. Brooks, the great scholar, preached for over a quarter of a century, the meeting to-night, commemorating the ninety-ninth birthday of William Ellery Channing, the great apostle of Unitarianism, was a complete success. The meeting was held in order that the movement for a centennial celebration - one year from to-night - in this, the birthplace of Channing, might be inaugurated under the most favorable circumstances."

Rhode Island Governor Charles C. Van Zandt presided over the meeting during which were read numerous letters of good wishes for the coming centenary celebration from prominent Unitarians including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, James T. Fields, the former publisher of Atlantic Monthly, and Charles W. Eliot, the President of Harvard University, who wrote: "His countrymen may well hold the name of Channing in remembrance. By his eloquent speech and his unanimous persuasive writings, he greatly helped destroy African slavery and to rid Christianity of superstitions with which it had long been encumbered. These were good services, which may usefully be commemorated until the evils which Channing combated no longer afflict humanity."

The meeting which took place in Newport that evening inaugurated an effort by Rev. Schermerhorn and the members of the First Unitarian Congregational Church of Newport to build a memorial to commemorate Channing's life and work. At the ground breaking ceremony some months later, Governor Van Zandt accurately foretold the future of the memorial: "Today we begin to erect a beautiful memorial edifice to William Ellery Channing. Its outer walls will be of stone as gray as the old rocks of our cliffs; its mullioned windows will be stained with the gathered glories of our sunsets; its spire will point, as he did, steadily heavenward; its bells will ring for the weddings and toll for the funerals of many generations yet unborn; its doors will open for worshipers of all beliefs and every land."

Shortly after that groundbreaking, the members of the First Unitarian Congregational Church (our predecessors) resolved that they and their successors " . . . would preserve Channing Memorial Church as a tribute to the Rev. Dr. Channing in this city of Newport, honored as his birthplace and blessed as his favorite place of life-long residence and resort." Consecrated on October 19th, 1881, the memorial our predecessors built is the sanctuary, the Channing Memorial Church, in which we congregate today.

The ancient Greeks first recognized the importance of history as a means by which a community develops its sense of identity and purpose. Our history as a community provides us with a starting point to reflect on our future. As we work together this year to articulate our mission and develop our vision for the future, we must remember our past and understand our heritage.

What Does the Governing Board Do?

Over the summer, the Governing Board reflected on this question and developed the following mission statement:

The Governing Board, acting for the Congregation to promote the health and vitality of our spiritual, social, and ethical community: coordinates development and implementation of the Congregation's mission, vision, and strategic plan; advises and assists the Minister; develops policies and supervises their administration; manages and supports Church staff; coordinates and supports committee activities; acts as trustee of Church property; conducts the business affairs of the Church; and fosters two-way communication with the Congregation.

Governing Board Activities

The Governing Board has kept busy this summer, having met both in July and August. Among other actions, the Board voted, on the recommendation of the Property Committee, to hire a professional rental property manager. Two Board members, John Burnham and Marsha Francis, are chairing our Fall Service Auction and already have begun planning for this important fundraiser. Three Board members, myself, Holly Grosvenor and Marsha Francis met with Rev. Amy Freedman and Bill Peresta to begin mapping out how we will conduct our Congregation-wide mission and vision development throughout the year. The Board is also busy planning its annual retreat, to take place at Cedar Hill UU Retreat House in Duxbury, MA in mid-September, during which we will reflect on how we can best serve the Channing Community this year. The next meeting of the Governing Board will be Tuesday, September 12th in Channing House. Any member is welcome to attend.

Tom Beall
President of the Governing Board