Our Story, Library, and Archives
Our History
The Unitarian Society of New Haven began in 1949, when a small group of Unitarians started meeting together in the New Haven area. Officially gathered in 1951, the congregation first met at the Jewish Community Center, building a foundation of shared worship, religious education, and community life. (PHOTO: Founding Meeting)
As USNH grew, so did its vision. In 1960 the congregation purchased land on Hartford Turnpike and built its first permanent home, followed by expansions to support a growing religious education program. In 2003, after years of planning and fundraising, the congregation completed its current sanctuary—an enduring space for gathering, reflection, and celebration.
Over the decades, USNH has been shaped by dedicated ministers, staff, and lay leaders. Long-serving and much-loved ministers Rev. Wayne Shuttee, Minister Emeritus, and Rev. Kathleen McTigue, Minister Emerita, guided periods of growth, deepened religious diversity, and strengthened the congregation’s commitment to social justice. Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner later served the congregation during a time of transition, bringing pastoral depth and care.
In more recent years, USNH has experienced periods of contract ministry, reflecting evolving approaches to ministry within Unitarian Universalism. Through change and continuity alike, the congregation remains grounded in shared leadership, spiritual growth, and care for one another and the wider community.
The Harned Memorial Library & Bowles Collection
The Harned Memorial Library is named for founding member Dorothy Foltz Harned (1895–1987), whose family supported the creation of both the library and the memorial garden in her honor. The Bowles Collection, dedicated in 1993, features books by and about African Americans and honors the memory of Robert Oneal Bowles (1926–1983), a devoted congregant and community leader.
Today, the library includes nearly 2,000 books and videos organized into three collections:
General Collection
Religion and a wide range of related topics, and works by USNH writers
Bowles Collection
African American history, voices, and issues
Religious Exploration Collection
Materials for children and RE teachers
Our Archives
Preserving Our Congregational History
Through careful stewardship, the archives maintain the institutional memory of the congregation, reflecting the people, events, and decisions that have shaped its life over time. Together with the library, the archives support continuity and understanding within the congregation, helping ensure that our shared story is preserved with care and integrity.
For questions about USNH’s history, the library, the archives, or the work of the committee, please email library@usnh.org.