History of LCUUC

A relatively recent addition to the family of Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations in southeastern Wisconsin, ours was founded by a group of UUs residing in the Lake Country area. Our vision was that this region, with its rapid population growth, could only be fully reached with a local UU congregation of its own.

We began holding weekly services in September 1997, and were accepted for affiliation with the worldwide Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). For several years, we rented and held services on Sunday evenings at Delafield Presbyterian Church. In November 2000, we outgrew that building and moved to Jerusalem Presbyterian Church in Wales, where we continued to rent and hold services on Sunday evenings. In March 2006 we outgrew that building as well. We were finally able to purchase our own building in Hartland, WI, and change to a morning meeting time.
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When we opened our doors in Hartland in March 2006, we had 60 members. We now have around 130 members and 30 children!

In May of 2013, our congregation voted to call our first full-time minister, Reverend Amy Shaw. We continued to build a strong community for six years, but Rev. Amy decided to take another ministerial position with a larger UU church in Iowa. She finished her tenure with LCUUC on July 31, 2019.

Starting in December 2017, we organized a successful three-year capital campaign leading to major changes in the internal and external facilities. Larger improvements included a new heating and ventilation system, new exterior siding, and new windows. And in August 2021, we updated our carpeting, finishing the last of the major improvements. Thanks to the amazing group of people that helped make that happen - including those active in the planning and those that gave financial support!

In August of 2020, LCUUC hired a three-quarter time minister, Reverend Carin Bringelson. Rev. Carin stepped into the position during the COVID-19 pandemic and also after a year of LCUUC being without a minister. Under such a daunting scenario, she joyfully and courageously continues to build up this place of loving community - especially while we transition into a congregation with multi-platform services and activities.