The Ecumenical Tour Series will take you on a Walking/Driving Tour that highlights the varied and beautiful historic churches in downtown Wausau. Go for a nice walk, or sit back and take a pleasant ride. Either way, we hope you enjoy your discovery of the history and inspired architecture of these magnificent churches.
You are visiting the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau. Take a moment to appreciate the tasteful blending of more than 100 years of architectural design.
Welcome to UUWausau!
We’re a growing and diverse spiritual community. At First UU we value each person, support your quest for truth, and invite you to make a difference in the world.
100+ YEARS OF HISTORY
(a history of First Universalist Unitarian from 1870...)
December 10, 1870: A society was organized in Wausau known as the Liberal Religion Society
1871: A church was built on the northeast corner of Fifth and McClellan Streets. The first minister, Reverend Schultz, came soon after the church was finished. He conducted a private school in the adjoining parsonage. He was followed by Reverend Fall who stayed until 1879. After he left, no services were held for several years.
1886 a new church was erected on a lot donated by Mrs. Mary Scholfield on the northwest corner of Fifth and McClellan. This building was sold in 1914 to Mount Sinai Synagogue.
April, 1914: The Universalist Society reorganized under the name First Universalist Church of Wausau. Property on the corner of Fifth and Grant Streets was purchased and Alexander Eschweiler, a well-known Milwaukee architect, was chosen to design the building. It took him one and half years to build the church, which included Yawkey Hall and an attached parsonage. The cost was about $150,000 and Mr. and Mrs. Yawkey paid for the cost of Yawkey Hall, the parsonage, and the furnishings of these buildings.
November 2, 1915: The church was dedicated and the cornerstone was laid with full ritualistic ceremonies by the Masonic lodge of Wisconsin.
1956: A remodelling of the parsonage was completed, and the east wing now consisted of seven separate classrooms, a church office, the minister’s office, and a combined lounge and library.
September 26, 2006: First UU Church broke ground on a $1.9 million addition. The east wing was demolished and a new handicapped-accessible addition with elevator and atrium was built and completed in August, 2007.
2015: First UU celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Grant Street church, although the congregation has been a liberal religious presence in Wausau for over 145 years!