About Us

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard (UUSMV) has been providing an open, liberal religious presence on the island of Martha's Vineyard since 1860

Becoming a member of a liberal religious community is an important step. Here you’ll find some of the information you’ll need to feel confident that this step is right for you.

First, we tell you of our history here on the Island. Next, we have some comments by our members; these will give you a flavor of the diversity you will find here. And, finally, you’ll find a list of the people who are the current stewards of the Society .
We publish a monthly newsletter describing our activities. If you would like to receive a copy, please email us or come to a Sunday Service and sign our Visitor’s Book.

We welcome new members and friends. Throughout the year we hold information sessions for those new to or exploring Unitarian Universalism. To become a member is simple – sign the Membership Book – and at the same time profound – you become an integral part of an active religious community.

Our Past and Our Present

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard has been providing an open, liberal religious presence on the island of Martha's Vineyard since 1860, when, on July 18 of that year, "a small group of men seeking religious opportunity" founded what was first called The Unity Church of Holmes Hole, Massachusetts.

Now, 143 years later, we still share our founders' vision - to provide an opportunity where people are united in respecting the importance of each individual and in believing that the final test of a religious community is the service that community can give toward the enrichment of human lives.

We are a member society of the Unitarian Universalist Association which emphasizes working principles rather than doctrines. It is a non-creedal religion which respects the diversity and intelligence of people. For more information on Unitarian Universalism, click here for UUA web page. We were recognized as a Welcoming Congregation by the UUA in October 2004.

Our chapel,

located on Main Street in Vineyard Haven, was built in 1901 and is named for our first minister, Daniel Waldo Stevens. In the words of Rev. Amy Freedman, a former minister, "The chapel is a truly sacred place with its warmth of natural wood and a glow through the diamond-paned windows". Unlike most Unitarian societies, we have services year-round. Winter and Summer, services are held at 11 a.m. every Sunday. Many of our summer visitors are quite active in the work of the Society and some decide to spend their retirement years here.

The Society has been an active part of Vineyard life both winter and summer for almost a century and a half. Many old Island names - Smith, Luce, Bodfish, Daggett, Packer, Tilton, Crocker, etc. - are found in the membership book. Now, our membership extends beyond these historical Island names. With the growth in the island's population in recent years, people from all parts of the United States and the world have moved to the Island and joined the Society. As of January 2004, there are almost one hundred members of the society and many friends.

Our Members Speak

Hello and welcome to our website. My name is Celeste Stickney and I have been a member of UUSMV for about 9 years. I first discovered Unitarian Universalism through my sister-in-law who was active in the Medfield Mass UU church. After attending services in Nashua NH, I moved to the Vineyard. From the beginning the UUSMV was very open, helpful and welcoming.I needed a place to stay for a week before my house was ready here and could not stay in a hotel. One of the long standing members graciously let me stay with her. The congregation continues to be like a family to me. I have been very active on the Board and on committees but I always feel that I receive so much support and encouragement from my involvement. I moved here with my two children I did not know anyone. It is through the church that I have made very close friendships and formed relationships with others here on the island. I also feel they have helped me raise my children in a nurturing and supportive environment filling a void in my life that my own parents have not been able to. The members bring such a rich spiritual, intellectual experience to me that I am not sure I could exist here without them.

Jo (Scotford) Rice here clarifying why I am presently enjoying an on-going source of ever deepening spiritual meaning from the vantage point of UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST-BUDDHISM. (I am not alone in this unique stance as there is already a UU Buddhist presence within our denomination as may be studied through the UUA Internet web site).

I am so happy to Jo Rice have this safe home base provided by our UUSMV, both physically and psychologically, to continue my investigation (in community) of how these spiritual movements from opposite sides of the planet have become so closely linked. The Buddha teaches that understanding the true nature of reality can be more directly accessed through the experiential practice of meditation than through the cognitive word or mind which for me, as a non-verbal right brained artist, is shedding more & more light on the meaning of my life with each passing day!

Having the gentle ambiance of our UU Chapel in which to meditate every Saturday morning over a period of many years not only for my own benefit but also for the benefit of the entire Martha's Vineyard community at large is something for which I am sincerely grateful. Our UU Society Steven's Memorial Chapel is becoming known both locally and world-wide! as the Martha's Vineyard "center" for Theravada Vipassana Buddhist studies & retreats in Southeastern Massachusetts. It is important for me that UU's know that Vipassana is a Pali word (the pre-sanskrit language spoken by the Buddha,) for "insight" or "clear seeing" (or directly knowing things as they truly are)! It is so gratifying to share these teachings with our UU Sangha and to be able to bring teachers from IMS (Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass) to our UU Chapel to give retreats now & then.

Our Stewards

Minister: Upon the retirement of Rev. Judy Campbell at the end of 2007, UUSMV has formed a Transition Committee and is searching for an interim minister. During this period guest speakers and ministers will fill the pulpit on Sundays, check the monthly newsletter for details.



Pastoral Associate	Janet Holladay
Music Director	Carol Loud
Office Administrator	Peg Thayer
Parish Committee
President	Sarah Shepard
Vice President	Mimi Davison
Treasurer	Blair Shick
Secretary	Catherine DeVito
Members at large	Peter Palches (08) Mike Kobran (09) Betsy Buck (10)
Trustees Rep.	Mary Miller
Trustees	Marry Miller Steve Engh Jack Street
Moderator	Dick Mezger (Sept. 07 - August 08)

We also offer a wide range of strictly voluntary opportunities for you to participate in the life of our community. These include:
Choir Social Social Responsibility Partner Church Adult Religious Education Book Group Play Reading Group Women's Group Men's Group Buddhist Meditation CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans)