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Our Story

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

from #1003, Singing the Journey (a UU Hymnal)

Explore the history of the congregation, how we came to be in Bethesda, and who has served the congregation over the years.

Our History

1

1951 - Founded as the Montgomery County Unitarian Center

Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation was founded with the support of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, and the visionary leadership of Rev. A Powell Davies. Originally known as the Montgomery County Unitarian Center, the congregation first gathered at the Chevy Chase Women’s Club and held its first service in 1951.

2

1953 - Property Purchased

The congregation purchased over six wooded acres on Cedar Lane in Bethesda, adjacent to Rock Creek Park near Beach Drive.

Noted architect, Pietro Belluschi, was hired to design the church building for the site. The building has won several awards, including one from the American Association of Architects for its relationship with its natural surroundings.

We currently gather here.

3

1958 - Building Dedicated

Our new building—designed to house both an assembly hall and religious education spaces—was dedicated.

4

1959 - Ordination of Sophia Lyon Fahs

Cedar Lane has long been a community of spiritual exploration, education, and justice. In 1959, we ordained renowned religious educator Sophia Lyon Fahs and launched what is now the Cedar Lane Nursery School, an accredited cooperative preschool.

5

1961 - New Name: Cedar Lane Unitarian Church

In the same year that the Unitarian Universalist Association was founded via a merger of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America, and just three years after the building dedication at the property on Cedar Lane, we adopted the name Cedar Lane Unitarian Church to reflect the roots we were planting in our new home.

6

1962 - Became 4th Largest Congregation in the Association

By 1962, Cedar Lane was the fourth-largest church in the denomination with 1,783 members. Cedar Lane worked to found two additional churches in the area: the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville (1956) and the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church (1959).

7

1963 - Dedication of Chapel Wing

Over the decades, Cedar Lane has expanded and evolved, the first of which was a chapel wing in 1963.

8

1980s-90s - More Expansions and a New Pipe Organ

The congregation engaged in major renovations in 1984–85 and again in 1992–93, allowing for increased office and classroom space. In 1987, a 51 rank, four-manual pipe organ was constructed in the choir loft. In the late 1990s, the former parsonage just north of the main building was converted to the Chalice House and the Memory Garden.

9

1995 - Affirming LGBTQ+ People

Six years after the General Assembly voted to initiate the Welcoming Congregation Program recommended by the Common Vision Planning Committee, Cedar Lane voted to become a Welcoming Congregation, publicly affirming our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

10

1996 - New Name: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church

We added “Universalist” in 1996 to reflect our deeper commitment to the inclusive values of our faith tradition.

11

1997 - Rev. Roberta Nelson Defends OWL on National Television

On October 8, 1997, the Rev. Roberta Nelson who was serving as the minister of religious education at Cedar Lane, defended UU values in a live interview with Bryant Gumbel, who was noticeably agitated by the notion of church-based sex education that didn't merely order kids to say no. The middle school Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education curriculum was initially  developed at Cedar Lane.

12

2015 - Strategic Planning Initiative Launched: Vision 2020

Cedar Lane launched Vision 2020, a congregation-wide process that shaped a new mission, strategic directions, and the bold goal of transforming our physical spaces to better nurture community.

13

2017 - Deepening Our Commitment to Immigrant Justice

Cedar Lane voted to become a Sanctuary Congregation in 2017, and in 2018, we welcomed Rosa Gutiérrez López and her three children into sanctuary.

14

2019 - Strengthening Regional UU Connections

In 2019, Cedar Lane became part of the Potomac Partnership, a collaborative ministry with River Road and Fairfax Unitarian Universalist Congregations. Together, we share resources, worship, social justice, and prophetic leadership to strengthen our impact across the region.

15

2021 - Promoting Racial Equity and Confronting White Supremacy Culture

In 2021, Cedar Lane adopted the 8th Principle, affirming our commitment to dismantling racism and all forms of oppression within and beyond our walls.

16

2022 - Name Change: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation

We updated our name once again, replacing Church with Congregation to reflect the diversity of the people who make up the congregation and to affirm the value of religious pluralism in our shared Unitarian Universalist tradition.

17

2023 - Broke Ground on Vision 2020 Renovations

To realize the goals in the Vision 2020 initiative, Cedar Lane undertook major renovations to ensure a more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible campus that reflects our values and supports our continued growth. These renovations were made possible by the successful Building Our Vision capital campaign, which raised nearly $5.5 million, followed by a second campaign, Elevate Our Vision, that raised an additional $750,000. Cedar Lane broke ground on renovations in March 2023 and was completed in just 12 months.

18

2024 - Dedication of Renewed Building - Vision 2020 - Realized!

On September 8, 2024, we joyfully rededicated our renewed building with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt  offering a blessing. A week later, our Community Open House welcomed over 200 guests, including Rep. Jamie Raskin and local interfaith leaders, in a celebration of community, justice, and hope.

19

Today - Our Story Continues

Today, Cedar Lane is a vibrant, multigenerational, multifaith spiritual home committed to living our values through worship, faith formation, and justice-centered action. Our story continues—with gratitude for all who brought us here, and with courage for all that lies ahead.

Clergy and Religious Professionals who have served Cedar since its founding

Senior Ministers

  • Rev. Abhi Janamanchi (2013–present)
  • Rev. Evan Keely (Interim, 2011–2013)
  • Rev. Roger Fritts (1993–2011)
  • Rev. Ed Harris (Interim, 1992–1993)
  • Rev. Kenneth T. MacLean (1972–1992)
  • Rev. Robert Zoerheide (1961–1971)
  • Rev. John Baker (1953–1960)

Associate & Assistant Ministers

  • Rev. Ali K.C. Bell (Assistant Minister, 2022–2025)
  • Rev. Katie Romano Griffin (2017–2022)
  • Rev. Michelle Collins (Interim Associate Minister, 2015–2017)
  • Rev. Heather Janules (2005–2015)
  • Rev. Terence Ellen (Interim, 2003–2005)
  • Rev. Douglas Taylor (Assistant Minister, 1999–2003)
  • Rev. Kathie Davis Thomas (Interim, 1998–1999)
  • Rev. Betty Jo Middleton (Temporary Assistant Minister, 1992 & 1993)
  • Rev. Alida DeCoster (1986–1998)
  • Rev. Kathleen Hepler (Interim Assistant Minister, 1985–1986)
  • Rev. Sydney Wilde (1980–1985)
  • Rev. William Moors (1965–1968)
  • Rev. Donald Johnston (1960–1961)

Ministers/Directors of Religious Education / Faith Formation

  • Rev. Dayna Edwards (2021–present)
  • Dayna Edwards (Interim Director, 2019-2021)
  • Tim Atkins (Director, 2017-2019)
  • Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick (Director, 2016–2017)
  • Rev. Gregory Stewart (2014–2016)
  • Karen Lee Scrivo (Interim Director, 2012-2014)
  • Rev. Susan Archer (2002–2011)
  • Rev. Betty Jo Middleton (Interim, 2001–2002)
  • Rev. Roberta Nelson (1987–2001)
  • Rev. Ellen Johnson-Fay (1980–1987)
  • Rev. Elizabeth Anastos (1969–1980)
  • Martha Lewis (Director, 1966–1969)
  • Stevie Lincoln (Director, 1962–1966)
  • Mildred Lester (Director, 1951–1962)

Sliding Scale Options

suggested love offering of $20 / seat

Sliding Scale Guide

We know it can be complicated to decide how much to pay, and there’s no one right answer for anyone. Many thanks to UU@UN for providing an equitable model for payments.

Consider paying at a lower tier if many of these are true for you:

  • I am directly affected by environmental racism.
  • I have immigration-related expenses.
  • I’m supporting children or have other dependents.
  • I have significant debt.
  • I have medical expenses not covered by insurance.
  • I receive public assistance.
  • I am an elder with limited financial support.
  • I am an unpaid community organizer.
  • I have been denied work due to incarceration history.
  • I would need to budget in order to afford a $25 expense.

Consider paying at a higher tier if multiple of these are true for you:

  • I or my family owns the home I live in.
  • I have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money.
  • I can travel recreationally.
  • I have access to family money and resources in times of need.
  • I work part time by choice.
  • I have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education, gender and racial privilege, class background, etc.
  • In terms of its impact on my lifestyle (e.g. my ability to pay this month’s bills), $50 means functionally about the same as $15. My bank account would look pretty much the same either way.


A reflection from Pronoia Coaching:

When I pay more, I know that I am helping others to access the event.

When I pay in the middle, I know I am helping the organizers cover costs.

And when I pay less, I know I am letting my community hold me and support me.

All of these are wonderful and acceptable ways of participating.