Our History

Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NWUUC) began as a spin-off from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA).  Experiencing rapid growth in the early 1960’s, the Board of UUCA decided to launch a “third service” at another location to meet the needs for the growing liberal religious community of Atlanta.  Northwest’s first services were held in 1968 at a school on Long Island Drive in Sandy Springs, with the children’s classes in a day care center nearby.  Northwest was chartered by the Unitarian Universalist Association denomination in 1969.  Sunday services moved to Sandy Springs Middle School with adult services were in the cafeteria and children’s classes  in the classrooms.  Teachers brought supplies with them in cardboard boxes each week.  In 1970 ourfirst minister, Rev. John Burciaga, was called.

Land purchase in Sandy Springs

In June, 1971, Northwest Unitarian Congregation purchased five acres on Mount Vernon Highway for $55,000, which became our "home in the woods."

The first settlers on the property were Creek Indians.  James Jett acquired the property in 1821 through a land lottery.  During the Civil War, General Sherman’s troops crossed the river prior to the Battle of Atlanta and camped on the ridge where Northwest sits today.  Several Civil War era bullets were found on the property.

Before a building program could begin some of the congregation followed Rev. Burciaga to another site to start the Phoenix Fellowship.

In 1974 Rev Bob Karnan was called as our second minister.  Soon after, the youth built a platform, the first structure built on the property.  In 2003 the platform was reinforced as an Eagle Scout project ofJack Robie.

Building plans were approved in 1976 and our main building was dedicated on March 6, 1977, housing the sanctuary, offices, meeting rooms, and classrooms.

Stained-glass Window

In 1980 MARTA, the local transit authority, presented to the congregation the stained glass windows now located in the sanctuary  on indefinite loan.  They had been removed from the Christian Liberal Church at 669 West Peachtree Street which had served both Unitarians and Universalists from 1915 to 1951.  This church was razed to build the North Avenue MARTA Station.

Chalice House

In 1984 our third called minister, Rev. Rolfe Gehardt, came and helped us  expand our facilities to accommodate the overflowing children’s classes.  The Chalice House was built to compliment our contemporary “religious home in the woods” in 1988.

Ministers

Andy and Andrea Ritan began their co-ministry in September of 1990 as the fourth “called” minister, but they resigned in February 1991 because of personal problems.

Roy Reynolds became the fifth “called” minister in September of 1992.  During his nine-year ministry, Northwest developed a mission covenant statement and the congregation mission “Promoting religious freedom, spiritual growth and ethical action.”  Roy and his wife, Jean Lamer, helped to develop the music program, the love of congregational singing and the success of the choir. He brought popular UU traditions such as the Water Ceremony at the beginning of the church year, the Circle of Life service for Memorial Day and the Easter Flower service.  He was involved in a district-wide “Seventh Principle Project,” promoting environmental awareness in UU congregations.  During 1996 the sanctuary building was remodeled to expand the kitchen, the bookstore and the office of the Director of Religious Education.  Roy resigned in January 2000 to co-author a book.

Rev. Kurt Kuhwald, having served in UU churches as minister in Chicago, Illinois and Boulder, Colorado came to Northwest as interim minister in August of 2000.

In April, 2001, Rev. Don Southworth was called to be Northwest’s sixth called minister.  He joined the congregation in August of that year, along with Joe Seidel as Director of Music and Katie Sadler as Director of Religious Education.

Religious education continues to be an essential part of Northwest.  We have had talented and dedicated Directors of Religious Education and some children who have grown up at Northwest have become Sunday school teachers themselves.  Our children participate in social action projects and are welcome at most social functions. 

Recent Events

In 1990 a co-ministry began with Revs. Andrea and Andy Ritan, our fourth called ministers.  Our name was officially changed to “Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation”  (NWUUC) by vote of the congregation in 1991.

Starting in 1992 with our fifth called minister, Rev. Roy Reynolds, the music program expanded and NWUUC employed a music director.  A mission covenant statement and mission statement, adopted in 1993, provided clarity to the congregation’s direction.  The first set of windows in the sanctuary and playground equipment were installed in 2004-2005.

Rev. Don Southworth, our sixth called minister, gave strong and positive leadership from 2001 until 2006, when  he accepted a call to the Eno River UU Fellowship in Durham, NC.  In 2006 the Rev. Dr. Maureen Killoran joined us as Interim Minister. During this interim period, the second set of sanctuary windows was installed.

Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation is the 2007 Chalice Lighter Grant Recepient. 

On May 6, 2007 members of Northwest UU Congregation called Rev. Macomber to be our seventh called minister.  His ministry with us begins in mid-August.

The Sunday religious service and children’s classes are held at 10:30 am with a refreshment hour afterward.  We invite you to attend.  Just come as you are.  We are a community that welcomes diversity of age, sexual orientation, race, abilities, economic situation, and theology.