Universalists prepare new church

On Saturday morning, about 20 volunteers toiled to prepare their new place of worship for next week’s inaugural services.

The volunteers were members of the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of the Wyoming Valley (UUCWV), a fledgling locally founded church whose members take pride in a “welcoming” philosophy.

The UUCWV began in 1991 with 10 members. They rented space at the Montessori School in Kingston, until their growing congregation created a need for a “new home.”

In November, the church purchased the 155-year-old Carverton Methodist Church in Kingston Township to accommodate the 70-plus and growing congregation membership, according to Brian Dugas, president of the UUCWV board.

Dugas, who was spending time painting and repairing the masonry steps on the front entrance, said the church has been seeking a new location for some time. When they learned about the “good deal” available with the former Methodist church, they acted quickly.

“We were all over it,” Dugas said. “It’s an old but sound structure,” he said.

They made sure to have the building inspected “head to toe,” he added. Most of the revitalization work is being done by the members, he said. The heating system was recently refurbished, he said.

When the Methodist congregation sold the building they basically left the walls bare. The church pews were also gone, but that did not present a problem, Dugas said. “We’re not a pew type of church,” he joked.

Dugas said most of the growth in the UUCWV has been in the increase of the congregation’s children. He foresees further expansion behind the building to provide space for education and recreational activities.

Jim Merryman, chair of the church’s membership, said the new church reminds him of a classic 19th-century country church with its large stained glass and bell tower.

Merryman said the location near Frances Slocum State Park fits with the congregation’s focus on protecting the earth and enjoying nature. In addition, the large sanctuary gives enough space to exercise their love of music. The services there include music from “Bach to the Beatles,” Merryman said.

The change from their former urban location to the country might require some carpooling, added Merryman, saying the church will do what is necessary to help members get there.

Merryman said the church is “united by individuality” and emphasizes “inclusiveness.” He hopes to see greater member numbers in the future with the new location and additional space.