| Church History - Year by Year |
1958
Interested couples and individuals meet in homes to learn about Unitarianism, find group interest, and form a
fellowship.
1959
Fellowship joins the American Unitarian association on February 2, 1959. It meets in a building called The
Wheel, sharing a space with the Christian Scientists.
1960
Fellowship meets in Boyles kindergarten building.
1961
Attempts are made to start Religious Education Programs, with little success. Adult programs and speakers
are shared with Jewish groups.
1962
Present building is purchased, dedicated on December 9, and membership holds its first service. A piano is
donated and rebuilt by Charlie Brandon.
1963
Church hosts the Tennessee Conference of Unitarian Churches. Discussed is the formation of the new
Thomas Jefferson District as a result of the merger of the American Unitarian Association and the
Universalist Church of America.
1964
UU Tullahoma Church building receives a new roof.
1965
Members enjoy long ‘Talkbacks’ after services, often held after lunch at the Officer’s Open Mess (AEDC).
Adult activities are held each Wednesday evening.
1966
As the Fellowship developed, so does the Civil Rights Movement, so speakers and topics are sought related
to the Movement.
1967
Fellowship hosts Swedish student, Jan Wisen, who serves as ‘Ambassador’ for the Experiment in International
Living.
1968
Fellowship hosts Turkish student, Necia Cikigil, who serves as ‘Ambassador’ for the Experiment in
International Living.
1969
Fellowship hosts Holland student, Eelco Denekamp, who serves as ‘Ambassador’ for the Experiment in
International Living. Owl Room is just rafters and studs. Plans for completion are made by John Fox and
Charles Brandon; ceiling, insulation, heaters, and wall paneling are installed.
Don Male is elected President of the Thomas Jefferson District. Dr. James Wu completes an oil painting for
the Owl Room.
1970
After addition of asbestos shingles, light fixtures, and carpeting, the Owl Room, later named the Brandon
Room, is dedicated on May 24; Eleanor Templin delivers We’ve Come a Long Way. She also builds the Owl
Room lectern.
1971
On May 15, the first church wedding is celebrated in a ceremony for Don Male and Sue Williams.
1972
Fellowship membership is now grown to over sixty (60), and the church facility supports the activities of this
group.
1973
On December 9, Don Male is ordained as UU minister in a ceremony conducted by K.C. Reddy.
1974
Don Male takes early retirement from AEDC and enters Vanderbilt Divinity School. Sue Male is elected
Secretary of the Thomas Jefferson District, and James Haygood succeeds Don Male as its President.
1975
Fellowship enjoys services conducted by outstanding and influential speakers from other UU churches
nationwide.
1976
In May, Don Male receives a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Vanderbilt University.
1977
Dr. Don Male becomes a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
The mortgage on the UU Church of Tullahoma is paid in full and burned in a ceremony on December 4.
1978
Under the leadership of Don Male, the Fellowship increases its participation in community and district
activities.
1979
Nicholas Browning
Fellowship continues to enjoy the stability of meeting in its church building and using its programs to support
both adult and children in its membership.
1980
A Reredos (A decorative screen at the back of an altar) is designed, built, and contributed by Bill Boss in
memory of his father, George A. Boss. A Homecoming Ceremony is held in September.
1981
Three UU Tullahoma youth, Rick Snyder, Penny Fox, and Annie Boss, attend the NYC UU UN Youth
Conference.
1982
Member, Cliff Templin, receives the Thomas Jefferson District Unsung Hero Award for outstanding service
to the UU Church of Tullahoma.
1983
As many church members make contributions to their work and the community, they are recognized by
organizations, and in newspaper articles.
1984
Fellowship youth begin to gain recognition for their participation in school and community activities, often
meriting pictures in the newspaper.
1985
The membership enjoys the results of their early efforts to establish this Church; their families are supported
by the Church and they continue to be active participants both in the church and community.
1986
Asbestos shingles are removed from the church building and replaced with vinyl siding.
1987
Dr. Don Male ends his term as UUA Trustee, and Sue Male is elected to that position. Fellowship hosts the
Tennessee UU Churches Conference Meeting.
1988
RE Room addition is dedicated and the church building is rededicated on October 9, to celebrate the
Fellowship’s twenty-fifth (25th) anniversary.
Shale stone entry is donated by Diane and Leon Felkins.
1989
June 10, Room #403, the Room of One’s Own, in The Pickett House, the UUA Lodging House, is named the
Don Male Room.
Large table in Fireplace Room is donated by Rick and Beverly Duncan.
1990
Some Church youth are graduating from high school and/or college, and some beginning to marry. Newspaper
articles abound regarding church members, both young and old.
The church is recognized for its annual springtime Child-Affirmation Ceremony and Flower Communion.
1991
A few members enjoy the prospect of becoming grandparents as their now-adult children marry.
1992
Continued improvements to church property include highway signs at the entries. A second entry door to the
Brandon Room is added, accomplished by removing a closet in the fireplace room; the work is done by Peter
Solies.
1993
The Brandon room is painted and new hymnals are bought in time for the church to host the Tennessee UU
Conference.
The Charter of Incorporation of the UU Church of Tullahoma is signed by its membership in December, 1993,
thus changing its name from the Unitarian Fellowship of Tullahoma.
1994
Stained glass stepping stones are made and donated by Bill Boss.
King Bird is honored with the Thomas Jefferson District President’s Award and is selected to its Board for
three years.
1995
Bridge over creek is designed and built by Peter Solies.
1996
Stained glass rose window is designed and made by Bill Boss.
1997
Forty padded chairs are purchased for the Brandon Room.
Sixteen church volunteers help build the Tullahoma Imagination Station.
Jim Macomber of the Chattanooga UU Church is hired as a consultant.
Don Male retires following 39 years of service to the church and is given Emeritus status. A photographic
portrait of him is completed and donated by John Lynch.
1998
During this year, the church has many and varied UU speakers. On April 2, it begins publishing an
advertisement in the newspaper, using provocative questions such as, Do you think for yourself on spiritual
matters? and Have you been thinking about changing churches?
1999
Dan Flanigan oversees the addition of a side parking lot; Peter Solies builds a rear entry ramp to the Brandon
Room.
The Church celebrates its 40th Anniversary, called Moon, Music, Milestones. Barbara Snyder writes
Celebrating Forty Years; Don Male and Frances Spaulding Pierce present reminiscences about the church.
2000
Central air conditioning and heating is installed.
2001
The Church hosts the 47th annual Tennessee UU Conference.
Services begin to be held year-round for the first time.
2002
Susie Bowers and Wayne Maxson clear and organize church bookshelves.
Congregation donates to the Millennium Repertory Company for the New Union Volunteer Fire Department,
to assist them with victim relief and expenses for storm damage.
2003
Kelly Kaufman, Vanderbilt Divinity Student, is hired as a consultant for the church. She conducts a planning
meeting to address the future of the church. She encourages the formation of a choir; it is formed with Bill
Davis as its director.
Repairs to the church include RE room ceiling, window frames (Lowell Johnson) and oval table (Larry and
Susie Bowers).
Congregation donates $320 to Denmark Elementary School in Jackson, TN after tornado damage.
2004
Peter Solies rebuilds and improves the church sign.
Church members make donations for Hurricane Ivan relief for the UU Southern District.
Lucy Boss receives the Thomas Jefferson District award for Unsung Hero for her service to the UU Church of
Tullahoma.
2005
Peter Solies designs, constructs, and installs a message board near the entry to the Brandon Room.
Liz Wendell donates the bright wine red Pakistani rug for use in front of the Chalice table.
Church members become Hurricane Katrina volunteers.
2006
Church begins monthly support for the Henry Center as suggested by Janet Hill.
Tricia Gardner, Vanderbilt Divinity Student, is hired as a consultant for the church. She conducts an
Appreciative Inquiry meeting to help the church identify its goals. As a result, a new Sunday Service format is
implemented.
Bill Boss designs, makes, and installs a stained glass chalice door.
Bill Boss oversees reconstruction of church sign and building following damage caused by an auto accident on
September 4.
2007
Church begins an aluminum can recycling project as suggested by Lucy Boss.
Betsy and John Webb complete new landscaping in the front beds of the church. Peter Solies repaints the
church bridge and ramp.
Members contribute to the Imagination Library and will make this an annual event.
2008
Kitchen floor and roof are replaced.
Board and Congregation approve Doug Traversa to become Lay Minister in February, 2009.
Memorial service held on August 3 to honor victims of a shooting at the Knoxville TN Valley UU Church.
Church sponsors pets for adoption at the Tullahoma Animal Shelter.
The Church celebrates its 50th Anniversary on November 16.
Memorial Service is held on November 29 for church leader, Dr. Donald Warren Male.