The Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley (French: Église unitarienne universaliste de North Hatley), registered under the Canadian business number 118919539RR0001, is a historic liberal spiritual community located in the village of North Hatley, Quebec. It functions as a member of the broader Unitarian Universalist tradition with roots dating back to the 19th century.

History

The congregation was originally founded as the First Universalist Church of North Hatley in 1886. It emerged as one of several Canadian Universalist churches near the American border, as an extension of the New England Universalist Convention, a denominational body established in Boston in 1793. This origin ties the church closely to the spread of Universalism in North America, which gained momentum largely due to the influential preaching of John Murray in the late 18th century.

The legal constitution of the North Hatley congregation dates back to 1886, although Universalist activity in the region started earlier around 1870. The church has historically been part of a network of Universalist communities and currently remains affiliated with the Vermont-Québec Universalist Convention, which convenes annually.

Beliefs and Evolution

As a Universalist church, the congregation embraces a tradition that has evolved over centuries, emphasizing a free quest for truth and liberty of interpretation. The Universalist faith, from which this church descends, sought to balance historic declarations of faith with openness to new theological insights. This ethos is reflected in the church’s avowals and worship practices, which have adapted over time to include a broad range of spiritual thought within the liberal religious tradition.

Community and Activities

The church continues to function as a liberal spiritual community, holding regular Sunday services that welcome members and visitors alike. It serves as a spiritual hub for Unitarian Universalists in the Eastern Townships region, hosting events and workshops that foster spiritual growth and community engagement.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of North Hatley upholds a legacy of spiritual liberalism and openness dating back over a century, linking its Canadian heritage with the broader history of Universalism and Unitarianism in North America.

This article is based on information sourced from the official UUEstrie website and historical records related to the church's founding and its denominational ties.