Advertisement
In the nineteenth century, New York was the second hottest spot in the country for Universalism, surpassed only by Massachusetts. There were so many Universalist churches in the state—around 400 came into existence during the 1800s—that in 1825, Universalists founded the New York State Convention of Universalists to promote the welfare of Universalism and consider new candidates for the ministry. Upon its incorporation in 1862, NYSCU assumed governance powers for all New York State Universalist congregations.
Today, there are sixty Unitarian Universalist congregations in New York, including four that existed in 1825—First Universalist Society of Salisbury Center, UU Church of Canton, UU Church of Utica, and All Souls UU Church in Watertown. The NYSCU continues to give UU congregations a framework to think about the legacy of Universalism while also looking to the future.
In October 2025, the Convention celebrated its bicentennial with three days of worship, fellowship, and workshops, and a keynote address by Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith, senior minister of the Universalist Church of West Hartford, Connecticut, and a member of the UUA Board of Trustees.
With a theme of “Two Centuries of Love at the Center,” the celebration drew more than seventy people in person and more on Zoom, representing fifteen member congregations as well as other UU congregations and groups. It was held at the UU Church of Canton, New York, which was also founded in 1825 and celebrating its own bicentennial
Since many of NYSCU’s original functions were assumed by the UUA when the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association consolidated in 1961, the Convention is now primarily a grantmaking organization. “We evolved to meet the changing needs in a changing world. We kept ourselves relevant in the current climate,” said Ann Rhody, NYSCU president.
The Convention currently has twenty-nine members composed of New York State congregations and UU-affiliated groups. Its mission also includes promoting the growth of Unitarian Universalism, particularly in New York State, and promoting awareness and appreciation of Universalist history and values.
It provides grants to UU congregations and affiliated organizations, and other nonprofit organizations that its board determines are engaged in a mission compatible with the values of Unitarian Universalism. NYSCU also offers loans, interest-free for three years, for capital projects for these groups. This assistance is not limited to New York-based organizations.
In 2025, NYSCU issued grants totaling $128,700, including grants to Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) and the Church of the Larger Fellowship.