Staff photo / Bob Coupland
The Unitarian Universalist Church has been located off Elm Street in Youngstown and has been a part of the Wick Park neighborhood since 1925. A centennial celebration Oct. 18 marked the milestone. Centennial celebration committee members are, from left, Diana Shaheen of Boardman, Louisa Berger of Youngstown, Jorine Stone of Poland, the Rev. Joseph Boyd of Youngstown, Ellen Satre of Youngstown, Hope Lovrinoff-Moran of Youngstown and Karen Lapidus of Poland.

YOUNGSTOWN — The historic Unitarian Universalist Church building at 105 Elm St. is marking 100 years of being on the northeast side of Youngstown.

Members of the congregation gathered this week to celebrate the special centennial milestone with a program, guest speakers and dinner.

The church is located across from Wick Park and members have been active in the community with different events, including Crop Walk, peace lighting and luminaria memorial celebrations.

The congregation formed in 1892 with the current building constructed in 1925 and is listed as a registered historic landmark and a fixture of the Wick Park neighborhood.

The membership is about 150.

The Rev. Joseph Boyd, pastor of the church, said the church has been a place of freedom as well as a place of light and beauty for the community.

He said the church members have had an active presence and engagement on the city’s North Side.

He praised the church staff and members who made the centennial celebration possible.

“They show the sense of pride they have in this community, our heritage and this valley,” Boyd said.

Melissa Smith, a member of the church and retired from Youngstown State University, said it is an amazing achievement for the church to mark 100 years, noting her family has been a part of the Unitarian Universalist church since she was a child.

She said the church spreads the message of peace and love, and helping one another.

“A large part of what we do is to be active in the community. We open our doors to anyone in the community,” Smith said.

She said the original building was constructed in 1925 but there have been updates over the years, including a religious education wing added in the 1960s and the building became handicapped accessible 30 years ago.

Smith said the original church steeple crowned the historic Georgian Epoque and Colonial Revival-style building for almost 90 years. However, by 2013, the steeple’s disrepair had become a safety hazard, leading the congregation to decide on its removal.

She said in February 2019, a prefabricated cupola was installed to replace the old steeple.

Smith said the congregation chose a cupola to be historically appropriate and for its symbolic meaning as the cupola is symbolic of the church’s role as a “beacon for the community.”

She said In line with the cupola’s symbolic purpose, the church is very involved in local outreach, working with groups to improve its neighborhood. Past and present projects include founding a women’s shelter and a Pride Center, and running a farmers market.

CHURCH MEMBERS

Hope Lovrinoff-Moran of Youngstown said the church is a very loving and growing community based in human rights and social justice and a beacon of the principles of the church on the North Side of Youngstown for 100 years.

Louisa Berger of Youngstown said the church’s reach is beyond just the Mahoning Valley.

“We are a presence that promotes hope. We welcome anyone to the church. Come and see what we are about. We are nonjudgmental,” she said.

Karen Lapidus of Poland said love is the center of the church, noting there are many signs at the church that celebrate love.