Let's Begin Walking
As you walk in the big double doors, you will find a plaque in honor of J. L. Daniel. Mr. Daniel joined the church in 1907 and signed the letter of incorporation in 1913 when the church name was changed from All Soul's Parish to the First Unitarian Church. Mr. Daniel was president of the Board in 1928 and gave a donation which was partially used to buy the lot where the church now stands. |
On the right as you enter is the RAYMOND FORD PARLOR, where our minister’s office is located. In old documents, this room is referred to as the Emerson Library. Raymond Ford was head usher of the church for thirty years. In "One Hundred Years of Upstart Unitarianism in the Bible Belt" Louise Bricker said, "The ushering under Mr. Ford was more controlled and more formalized than it is now. He taught our boys a good bit about being gentlemen. The boys did not usher if they were not presentable. I thought he added some dignity to the church." Mr. Ford provided boutonnieres for the ushers each Sunday. On the left as you enter is the Frank O. Holmes Room named in honor of this minister who served the church from 1948 to 1968. Many people in the church still remember the man and his ministry. The choir robes and stage are stored in this room. For several years a sister from Villa Teresa used this room to teach English as a Second Language. The interior of the sanctuary is also designed to look like a New England Church. The organ is a Reuter pipe organ with two keyboards and 24 ranks. The Coombs Memorial Chimes in the steeple were given to the church in 1943 by Mrs. Fred Coombs. Mrs. Coombs was president of the Alliance in 1943.
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