In brief: Sheltering the faith

News about congregational building programs.
By Jane Greer
Spring 2011 2.15.11

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The award-winning addition to the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, Minn., completed in 2007, was designed by Locus Architecture in Minneapolis. (Peter Sieger)

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Architecture award for Minn. church

In November, the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, Minn., was given an Honor Award by AIA Minnesota for its new addition, which was designed by Locus Architecture in Minneapolis. The addition, which was actually completed in 2007, also earned a Merit Award in 2008 from the International Awards Program for Religious Art and Architecture. The addition, which doubled the size of the original building, includes a new sanctuary, atrium, offices, and meeting space.

Meadville Lombard sale

As this issue went to press, Meadville Lombard Theological School announced that the University of Chicago has signed a purchase agreement for its main building at 5701 South Woodlawn Avenue in Chicago. See uuworld.org (1.31.11) for full coverage.

‘Cool Congregation’ winner

The Towson Unitarian Universalist Church in Lutherville, Md., was named the winner of this year’s Cool Congregation contest by Interfaith Power and Light. The contest asked participants nationwide to calculate a starting carbon footprint and then to report back a year later after making energy-saving changes. The Towson congregation conducted an energy audit and took steps to seal windows and the duct system. They also installed solar film on skylights and a sanctuary window and replaced two doors. The award included $5,000.

New construction in Sherborn

The Unitarian Universalist Area Church at First Parish in Sherborn, Mass., celebrated its 325th anniversary this year with the completion of a 5,000-square-foot addition to the building. The addition will provide more classroom and meeting space. The choir loft was also updated and additional pew space was added.

Congregation’s new home

The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Seattle, Wash., bought a 60-year-old church in April 2010. The new building is 13,312 square feet and should accommodate the growing congregation, which was recently designated by the UUA as a “Breakthrough Congregation.”

Send news about your congregation’s building initiatives to world@uua.org.