First Unitarian Church of Oakland Who We Are
For more than a century, the First Unitarian Church of Oakland has been a progressive religious voice in the heart of downtown Oakland. We are a community where people with different beliefs worship as one faith, where religious inspiration comes from not one but many sources.
We believe that every person is a unique person of worth and that our religion calls on us to create a world where all people are treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We come together in friendship and caring to support one another through the many changes of our lives, to give love and hope along the way. We encourage one another on a lifelong path of personal discovery and development, of religious and spiritual growth and responsibility and action in our community and wider world.
Our growing congregation is committed to the creation of a radically inclusive community. We warmly welcome those who by reason of race, class, dis/ability, sexual orientation and/or gender identity have felt excluded elsewhere. As a justice seeking community, we are open to the transformation of mind, body and heart that comes by being authentically engaged in ministries to eliminate the oppressions that have systemically marginalized human beings and contributed to the ecological destruction of the planet.
If you are seeking a place to grow your spirit, to deepen your connection to the human family, and join with others to create a better world, First Unitarian Church of Oakland welcomes you.
Principles, Vision, Mission & Congregational Covenant
We are a non-creedal religion but we have made commitments to one another and given voice to the principles and values we share in common. The documents below reflect these commitments.
Our Principles
We affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equality and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
The Living Tradition we share draws from many sources:
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
- Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
- Spiritual teachings of earth centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
-- Adopted as a Bylaw by the 1984, 1985 and 1991 UUA General Assemblies.
To build a radically inclusive community, to grow the beloved
community by expanding the welcome table and deepening our
commitments to countering oppression as an intentional multiracial,
multicultural, multigenerational congregation. Read more about Vision 2012 
-- or listen to Rev. Kathy's sermon "Vision 2012: Growing the Beloved Community" (March 18, 2007).
Our Ends Statements
The First Unitarian Church of Oakland embodies beloved community as an intentionally multigenerational, multiracial, multicultural, anti-oppressive Unitarian Universalist religious community. We work for spiritual and social transformation within, among, and beyond ourselves in support of our vision, mission, and ends.
Transformation Within
Church members and friends discover and articulate personal spiritual growth. We lead lives of integrity and meaning that reflect our spiritual identity and values.Transformation Among
People of all ages who are part of our church community experience caring relationships which connect us to an ever wider circle of life. We use our collective gifts and learning to nurture and expand beloved community. We overcome barriers that divide the human family.Transformation Beyond
Our neighborhood, the city of Oakland, and the world community are more just and compassionate because of our prophetic role and ministries. We generously share our human and financial resources beyond the walls of our church.
Our Mission
We, the members of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland , unite to build a beloved community within and beyond our walls. Guided by individual conscience and wisdom from many sources, we gather in worship and service to nourish the spirit, work for justice, and celebrate the divine in all.
-- Adopted by the congregation on March 18, 2001
Our Congregational Covenant
We, the people of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, covenant to build a religious community sustained by relationships of understanding, mutual trust and respect. Guided by our mission and collective inspiration, we will encourage all our members to participate fully in congregational life and to grow and learn together in faith and love. Knowing that what one of us does affects the community, we covenant to act with loving kindness in all our endeavors by speaking directly and positively with one another. We recognize that this calls for honesty in communications, valuing of diversity and inclusive process. We covenant to engage in ethical communications, take our concerns to those responsible and refrain from gossip. Recognizing that conflicts have the power to strengthen or diminish our relationships, when they arise we will handle our disagreements with courtesy, fairness and forgiveness. We promise to listen to one another, assume good intentions and identify common goals. In support of our shared ministry we covenant to honor our commitments, keep our decision making processes transparent and give generously of our spiritual gifts and material resources. This we covenant together.
-- Adopted by congregational vote, March 14, 2004
Our Church was Founded in 1869
The First Unitarian Church of Oakland dates from 1869, when Laurentine Hamilton, a Presbyterian minister, was convicted of heresy for espousing liberal religious views. He and a good share of his congregation later formed The Hamilton Free Church, which flourished until his death in 1882. (Mt. Hamilton, near San Jose, was named for Laurentine Hamilton, as was our sanctuary, Hamilton Hall).
In 1886, Charles A. Wendte reorganized the church as The First Unitarian Church of Oakland. Wendte later invited Eliza Tupper Wilkes, the first woman to serve a church in the East Bay, to join him in ministry to the congregation.
Our building, located at 14th and Castro between downtown Oakland and the Gateway neighborhood, opened in 1891. With the exception of the stained glass windows, only materials from California were used in the construction, most notably, the dramatic redwood trusses supporting the roof. It was designated a city, state and national landmark in the 1970s.
Throughout its history, First Unitarian Church of Oakland has been a place of great spiritual and historical significance. We welcomed Swami Vivekanada to our pulpit in 1900; the building is a shrine to the Vedanta Society. Isadora Duncan danced her professional debut in Wendte Hall. William Howard Taft (then the sitting President of the U.S.) addressed our congregation in 1912. In 1945, the church hosted some of the organizing meetings for the United Nations. The Starr King School for the Ministry was founded at our church.
Our congregation is filled with people who come from throughout the Bay Area. We are a congregation dedicated to both spiritual depth and social transformation.
Learn more about our historic building.
Denominational Links
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
Pacific Central District (PCD) of the UUA
Unitarian Universalists of the Bay Area (UUBA)
Partner Church Program
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (The UUSC has been protecting human rights worldwide for 65 years.)