WHO WE ARE
We are unitarian universalists. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the greater good.
Our approach to religion is different to that of all other faiths and denominations. We have no fixed statement of beliefs or creed to which you have to agree in order to be accepted. Indeed, we welcome all other faiths and denominations. Those of no particular faith or those who simply prefer not to be labelled at all are also welcome.
We belive that everyone has the right to seek truth and meaning for themselves, using: their intellect; their conscience and their own experience of life. The best setting for finding religious truth and meaning is a community that welcomes each individual for themselves, complete with their beliefs, doubts and questions.
We seek to welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith. Get involved!
OUR HISTORY
Blackpool South Shore Unitarian Church owes its origins to an isolated congregation which formed in 1894 as an off-shoot from Blackpool North Shore Unitarian Church (which sadly no longer exists).
To begin with, this 'off-shoot' congregation held its services in a nearby Masonic building until it managed to have its own church built where it currently still stands. The foundation stones for the new church building were laid in November 1902. The ceremony being carried out by leaders of the South Shore Movement, Mr and Mrs JRG Grundy and Mr CC Grundy, (later to become Sir Cuthbert Grundy) and presided over by Rev. HV Mills, president of the North Lancashire and Westmoreland Unitarian Association. Rev. D Davis (North Shore Unitarian Church) was also in attendance.
Like many churches in every denomination across the country, numbers attending fell drastically during the 20th century and church buildings fell into a state of dilapidation, many being deconsecrated and sold off. Blackpool South Shore Unitarians also experienced falling numbers and by the time of its centenary in 2002, numbers attending had almost entirely failed. The church hall also fell into a state of extreme disrepair, to such an extent that it could not secure even basic fire insurance. At this time a new Minister took on the daunting challenge of helping to turn things around.
When Rev Dr Ray Milward arrived, there were only six hard pressed members of congregation remaining. Numbers were then bolstered in 2004 with the arrival of a contingent from a nearby Unitarian church, where Rev Milward had previously been Pastor in training, whereupon serious fund raising activities were launched. These resulted in raising sufficient capital to refurbish the church buildings and interiors to the standard to which they remain today.
1902
Construction work for the new church began
2002
By the time of the churches centenary, numbers had almost entirely failed
2004
Numbers bolstered with the arrival of a group from a nearby Unitarian Church
2022
Today, the Church continues to go from strength to strength
1894
Blackpool South Shore Unitarian congregation was formed
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation, we affirm and promote seven principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.
OUR PRINCIPLES
1
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
2
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
3
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
4
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
5
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
6
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
7
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part