First Unitarian Society
Encyclopedia
First Unitarian Society of Madison (FUS) is a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Shorewood Hills
, a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin
. Its meeting house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
and built by Marshall Erdman
, and it is a U.S. National Historic Landmark
. With over 2000 adults and children, it is one of the largest Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States. Known for its stimulating worship services led by a staff of three ordained ministers, and excellent music program with several choirs, FUS holds services three times on weekends during the fall, winter and spring, and two during the summer in addition to several special services during holidays.
FUS has extensive programs in children's and adult education. The society typically offers 10 different religious education classes each year for children and youth, varying from "Experiences with the Web of Life," an environmental awareness curriculum for 1st and 2nd graders, to "Mind Body Soul" a class to help 8th graders explore relationships and sexuality. The courses are taught cooperatively with a staff of professional educators guiding teams of volunteer teachers. The adult education program offers around 30 different member and staff-taught courses annually in two sessions each year. The topics range from "Environmental Ethics" to "Movement Meditation."
The society is housed in the historic Unitarian Meeting House, designed by one of its members and the nephew of one of its founders, Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright was commissioned to design the Meeting House in 1946. Construction began in 1949 and was completed in 1951. It is recognized as one of the most innovative examples of church architecture
. In 1960, the American Institute of Architects
designated it one of seventeen buildings to be retained as an example of Wright's contribution to American culture. The Meeting House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1973. In 2004, it was officially declared a National Historic Landmark
by the National Park Service
.
Construction of a major expansion of the FUS campus, designed by Kubala Washatko Architects, was completed in 2008, with a second, 500 seat Auditorium and new community spaces being added. Extensive repairs and restoration are also being made to the historic building. This expansion conforms to strict guidelines as to leave the historic portions of the grounds essentially unaltered.
Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin
Shorewood Hills is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. Established in 1927, the population was 1,732 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Madison and part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Its meeting house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
and built by Marshall Erdman
Marshall Erdman
Marshall Erdman was a Lithuanian-American builder and colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright.-Early life:Erdman was born Mausas Erdmanas on September 29, 1922, in Tverai, Lithuania...
, and it is a U.S. National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. With over 2000 adults and children, it is one of the largest Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States. Known for its stimulating worship services led by a staff of three ordained ministers, and excellent music program with several choirs, FUS holds services three times on weekends during the fall, winter and spring, and two during the summer in addition to several special services during holidays.
FUS has extensive programs in children's and adult education. The society typically offers 10 different religious education classes each year for children and youth, varying from "Experiences with the Web of Life," an environmental awareness curriculum for 1st and 2nd graders, to "Mind Body Soul" a class to help 8th graders explore relationships and sexuality. The courses are taught cooperatively with a staff of professional educators guiding teams of volunteer teachers. The adult education program offers around 30 different member and staff-taught courses annually in two sessions each year. The topics range from "Environmental Ethics" to "Movement Meditation."
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. In 1960, the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
designated it one of seventeen buildings to be retained as an example of Wright's contribution to American culture. The Meeting House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973. In 2004, it was officially declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
.
Construction of a major expansion of the FUS campus, designed by Kubala Washatko Architects, was completed in 2008, with a second, 500 seat Auditorium and new community spaces being added. Extensive repairs and restoration are also being made to the historic building. This expansion conforms to strict guidelines as to leave the historic portions of the grounds essentially unaltered.