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The History
A Part of the Community Since 1885
The First Unitarian Church was organized by Rev. J. G. Townsend as an Independent Congregational Church in 1885, its church property at the junction of East Second and Chandler streets in Jamestown, New York.
While the congregation has changed names and locations over the years, it remains the seat of liberal religion in the Jamestown area.
This page about our history is a work in progress. Check back for updates.
The First Unitarian Church was organized by Rev. J. G. Townsend as an Independent Congregational Church in 1885, its church property at the junction of East Second and Chandler streets in Jamestown, New York.
While the congregation has changed names and locations over the years, it remains the seat of liberal religion in the Jamestown area.
This page about our history is a work in progress. Check back for updates.
Words from Our Founder
Our founder, Rev. James G. Townsend was so prominent a minister that he often made the New York Times. And he may be the only pastor having been quoted there for saying THERE IS NO HELL. So read on...
THE NEW YORK TIMES: HE REJECTS ETERNAL PUNISHMENT
BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 15. THE REV. JAMES G. TOWNSEND, PASTOR OF THE ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, has decided to resign
his charge on account of his rejection of the idea of eternal punishment "and the other parasites of religion," as he expresses it. Dr. Townsend intends going to Jamestown to found an independent Congregational church.
Published: September 16,1885, Copyright The New York Times
Our founder, Rev. James G. Townsend was so prominent a minister that he often made the New York Times. And he may be the only pastor having been quoted there for saying THERE IS NO HELL. So read on...
THE NEW YORK TIMES: HE REJECTS ETERNAL PUNISHMENT
BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 15. THE REV. JAMES G. TOWNSEND, PASTOR OF THE ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, has decided to resign
his charge on account of his rejection of the idea of eternal punishment "and the other parasites of religion," as he expresses it. Dr. Townsend intends going to Jamestown to found an independent Congregational church.
Published: September 16,1885, Copyright The New York Times
Rev. James Townsend
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Townsend's Independent Congregational Church
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Townsend's new creed of beliefs in September 1885 sent theological shock waves across the United States. "Townsend's Creed" became a newspaper headline from New York Times, the Washington D.C. Evening Star, and the Boston Globe to the Jackson, Mississippi, Clarion, and the Salt Lake City Herald.
Townsend speaks of one of the beliefs of his new creed:
"We believe that the inordinate love of money which seems to possess so many like madness, is most hurtful; but we do not believe that poverty is a blessing, but rather a curse. We believe in the gospel of good houses, good food and good clothes, and we will endeavor as far as we can, to help all our brothers and sisters to these opportunities."
Townsend speaks of one of the beliefs of his new creed:
"We believe that the inordinate love of money which seems to possess so many like madness, is most hurtful; but we do not believe that poverty is a blessing, but rather a curse. We believe in the gospel of good houses, good food and good clothes, and we will endeavor as far as we can, to help all our brothers and sisters to these opportunities."
History Documents
- History of the Unitarian Church of Jamestown, New York - Clara F. Carpenter - April 1955
Records significant events from 1885 through 1955. - A Centennial History of the Unitarian Church of Jamestown, New York - compilation by several authors
- History of the Unitarian Church of Jamestown 1966 to 2003 - Jeffrey S. Victor, Ph.D.
