UUFTC History

While weighing whether to found a Humanist group or a Unitarian Universalist group in Tuolumne County, in April 1990  our founders - twelve adults and two children - met for breakfast at a local restaurant. In May, Halcyon Winter invited them to her home for lunch to discuss non-creedal religious services. They decided on Unitarian Universalisms and  services began June 3, 1990. The bylaws were adopted and signed by 36 UU members.

January 20, 1991. The group applied for, and received certification of affiliation with the Unitarian Universalist Association. During 1992-1993, the Groveland satellite group and the Douglas Flat satellites groups were established. 

These  founding members and many who followed on their heels were active in local causes as evidenced by the many letters printed in the local newspaper as well as related articles that appeared.  Early projects of the UUFTC members included: .  

• A smoking ban in restaurants (a huge battle – but UUFTC was on the winning side!)

• Gun control activism

• Marguerite and Dan Johnson worked to establish the Martin Luther King Jr. annual birthday celebration.

In 2005, our first minister, Rev. Craig Scott was hired.  In 2008, we purchased our first Fellowship House which served as administrative offices, a place for our minister to stay when in town, and a meeting place for our own groups and community groups, and we held our summer Sunday services outside under the oaks. 

Our second minister, Rev. Sonya Sukalski was hired in 2014 and became our called minister in 2017.  She served until April 2020.  We  still had no place for our Sunday services during the winter.  After a long search, a larger church suitable for our size was purchased and we began holding services in January 2020.  Due to the pandemic, all activities were moved online; meanwhile, the renovations and improvements continue on the new building, anticipating our return.   

We have come a long way in 30 years!