A Legacy of Faith and Community: The Enduring History of University Christian Churches

Introduction

University Christian Churches, often located near college campuses, have a rich history of serving students, faculty, and the wider community. These churches provide spiritual guidance, a welcoming community, and a platform for social action. This article explores the history of two such churches: University Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas, and University Christian Church in Austin, Texas, as well as touches on the history of University Church in Chicago, highlighting their unique beginnings, evolution, and enduring commitment to faith and service.

Building a Foundation in Austin: The Texas Bible Chair

The story of University Christian Church in Austin, Texas, begins with the Texas Bible Chair. In the early 20th century, Mrs. M. M. Blanks, a prominent figure in the Disciples of Christ (DOC) denomination, envisioned a similar institution at the University of Texas in Austin.

Inspired by the Christian Women’s Board of Missions' (CWBM) new “Bible Chair” idea in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mrs. Blanks sought advice from Dr. Herbert L. Willett of the Michigan Bible Chair and Dr. Charles A. Young of the Virginia Bible Chair. Acting on this advice, on March 1, 1904, Mrs. Blanks deeded a lot she owned at the corner of University Ave and 21st Street to the Christian Women Board of Missions (CWBM) for $1 cash and “other good and valuable considerations.” She also donated $20,000 for two buildings - one would be used for classrooms and the other as a residence for the Director of the institution.

Professor Payne recommended Dr. Frank L. Jewett, a young minister from Columbus, Kansas, educated at Harvard and the University of Chicago, to the CWBM as Director. In September of 1905, Dr. Jewett began teaching not-for-credit Bible courses in a location on Guadalupe owned by Central Christian Church. An existing wooden house on the lot at 21st and University Avenue was removed. The lot was cleared and two yellow-clay brick buildings began to rise. By 1908, Dr Jewett’s courses, now accredited by UT, were taught at the new location in the two parallel brick buildings owned by the CWBM. Over time, Dr. Jewett and the Texas Bible Chair became a notable presence on the corner across the street from Littlefield Fountain. Dr. Frank L.

Dr. Jewett, a Biblical scholar educated at Harvard and the University of Chicago, directed the Bible Chair, which developed into a respected institution near the University of Texas. Dr. Jewett taught Bible courses for credit at UT and also led a popular, non-credit Bible study group on Sundays, attracting up to 75 students each week.

A Church is Born: Meeting the Needs of Returning GIs

In late 1945 and early 1946, the influx of American GIs returning from World War II, eager to pursue college education through the GI Bill, significantly impacted the Texas Bible Chair. The University of Texas (UT) became a popular choice for these veterans, who sought guidance, community, and a sense of purpose.

These students, particularly those of the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) denomination, found a welcoming community at the Texas Bible Chair. Some of these ex-GI students were older than the average college student. Not all of these returning GIs knew exactly what they wanted, except that - after years of war - they knew that they wanted to help make the world a better place. And a group of people clustered around the buildings on that street corner wanted to help them do just that.

Paul Wassenich had come to Austin expecting to teach, but some students and non-students surrounding the Bible Chair wanted a preacher as well: they wanted to start a church that could help UT students with spiritual and other types of support for managing to get through college. It became clear to the Wassenichs that more support was needed to help provide for the needs of this rapidly expanding “family.” Paul concluded that a church was a good idea, but he didn’t think he could hold down both his teaching and an additional preaching job.

Recognizing the need for a more structured religious community, a group of eleven individuals, including four UT librarians, formed the core of University Christian Church. The eleven Founding Members included four UT librarians, and were: Reverend Paul Wassenich, Mrs. Paul (Ruth) Wassenich, Mr. W.A. (Bill) Darter, Mrs. W. A. (Rena) Darter, Mr. Charles C. Sansom, Jr., Mrs. Charles C. (Charley) Sansom, Mrs. Marcelle Hamer, Miss Annie Hill, Miss Le Noir Dimmitt, Miss Lorena Baker, and Miss Annabel Murray (later Mrs. E. C. Thomas).

University Christian Church held its first Sunday service on November 3, 1946, in a classroom within the Bible Chair building. The service was attended by the founding members, students, and friends, with 20 becoming founding “Student Members” and 16 others becoming “Associate Members.”

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Early Growth and Development

The church quickly established its mission and began expanding its reach. By December 12, 1946, Dr. Jewett had officially retired, the UCC’s first Board had been elected and the membership’s interest in mission work had been established by starting a “Tillotson College Loan Fund” to help support a nearby black college (later to become Huston-Tillotson University). By January 17, 1947, the Newsletter, now tentatively named “The Caller,” was distributed statewide to DOC ministers and other church leaders. Judge Tom Beauchamp was pushing for the church to start a publicity and fund-raising plan called the “$10 Plan.” Whenever a student from a Disciples of Christ church came to the University of Texas, Judge Beauchamp suggested, the student’s home church should send $10 to the new University Christian Church to help provide a church home in Austin and support its work among the students.

In 1947, Reverend T. W. “Bill” Sisterson arrived in Austin from New Zealand to take the preaching and church responsibilities off Paul Wassenich’s shoulders. Reverend Sisterson became UCC’s first paid pastor. In September and October the Caller published several first-anniversary articles, celebrating the Texas Bible Chair, the Wassenichs’ arrival the year before, and University Christian Church’s first year. UCC’s average attendance had tripled to 150 over the last year. Average DSF attendance was “up to 50,” and Sunday School had an attendance of 45. Rev. Rev. T.W.

At the same time, the “Women’s Council” - an early forerunner of the Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF) - was gearing up for the fall, and F. Winston “Windy” Savage, as Director of the Music Committee, held UCC’s first choir rehearsal, founding one of the strongest and most enduring programs of University Christian church - the choir and its “section leaders” or “choral scholars” program. By mid-November, 1947, the DSF had already selected a mission project, Perry House, described in the Caller as “an East Austin refuge for neglected youth.” The students were active individually. The first official congregational meeting was held on September 27, 1947, almost a year after the Board was elected. The “Frank L. Jewett Library” was named in preparation for its dedication. By February of 1948, the DSF had designated a “student lounge” on the floor above the UCC and Bible Chair offices in the TBC building and named it the “Tyler Room” after a church that had contributed to the UCC cause. UCC began to discuss a new building to rise on the site of the TBC. A first drawing was made by Robert L. White, Professor of Architecture at UT and was published at the top of each issue of the Caller. In May of 1948, the Caller announced the church’s goal to “make a church rise” on the TBC property. On July 4, 1948, UCC’s first building fund launched.

The church's rapid growth necessitated expansions, including a second parsonage for the Wassenichs, allowing the Bible Chair residence to be used for office and teaching space. The church welcomed 52 new members within three months of Rev. Lawrence Bash's arrival.

A New Commitment and Continued Growth

After his first year Rev. Sisterson received an “urgent call” from a church in McKinney and decided to leave UCC. He had apparently also arrived on his own at the conclusion that he was not the right fit: UCC needed a younger and more energetic minister to keep up with the students and the planned building activity. One of his parting messages to University Christian recommended that they not settle for just any minister that came along, but to actively search out a special minister who could promote the church and help it reach its potential.

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The church board quickly found the person they wanted in Reverend Lawrence W. Bash, then in a secure position at Wyatt Park Christian Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. After two refusals, much consideration and encouraged by a strong recommendation from his father - Rev. Dr. Floyd Bash of San Antonio - to take the offer, Rev. Lawrence W. Bash agreed to accept UCC’s offer to become senior minister at UCC and on February 13 of 1949, the UCC Board happily finalized the arrangement and began making plans for his arrival. On April 1, 1949, Lawrence and Letha Bash arrived in Austin.

University Christian Church in Fort Worth: A Beacon of Faith and Service

University Christian Church (UCC) in Fort Worth, Texas, boasts a long and influential history. The church's origins are intertwined with Texas Christian University (TCU), as it initially served the university's students and staff. Dr. Russ Peterman, the current Senior Minister at UCC, recalls his profound call experience during a worship service as a TCU student, emphasizing the sacredness of the church.

From University Church to Autonomous Congregation

For the first 50 years of its existence, University Christian Church served TCU’s students and staff. And it eventually became an autonomous congregation in 1933 at the onset of the Great Depression. UCC became a well-known landmark with an influential voice in the community, participating actively in the civil rights movement. On November 22, 1963, Dr. Granville T. Walker, the long-standing senior minister of UCC, gave the benediction for John F. Kennedy’s last breakfast hosted by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Walker needed no introduction to President Kennedy as he greeted everyone at the head table at the star-studded event.

Reaching Outward: Engaging with the Community

Since taking the pastorate, Dr. Russ has worked to get UCC involved in the community. “I think it’s been really important for us to get back out there and to start serving the community a whole lot more than what we’ve done. “We’ve been working really hard about getting out there-to be a part of what God is doing rather than expecting people to come to us. We have this beautiful sanctuary where everybody wants to get married.

UCC's historic influence remained strong for many decades. But, says Dr. “Back in 1963, UCC needed no introduction. And I think many folks still look at UCC as this great institution, but I think in many ways, a lot of our shine had worn off a little bit. “So we really wanted to be more outwardly focused and forward-thinking instead of relying on that reputation.

Adapting to a Changing World

During the pandemic, Dr. Russ and his team took advantage of the extra time to hone their message and focus their outreach efforts. “We recognized that this is not about us, you know? That it’s all about those people that God is calling us to reach. “You just do the best you can and hope that you can attract people to you, but that doesn’t work in this culture.

ArtSpeak helped refine University Christian Church’s already robust mission, vision, and values. We also helped define other core characteristics like reputation, advantages, distinctives, and success metrics. We collaborated to define UCC’s audience with insights from congregants and staff gathered while onsite in Fort Worth. We also performed demographic research for their immediate area. With the personas in mind, we developed a message that would resonate with their hopes and fears. We developed University Christian Church’s visual identity with their strategic message at its foundation. Their visual identity honors the past while creating a fresh visual expression. UCC’s logo is a refreshing take on the St. Andrew’s cross, a symbol integrally connected to their denomination. UCC’s new brand has created a palpable momentum amongst the congregation. Although messaging is only about 10% of all a church can do, Dr.

Embracing Tradition and Innovation

As part of their efforts to invite people into UCC’s future story, they turned their Core Story into a short promotional video. We also strategized with Dr. “As a 150-year-old University Church, we are very traditional in our worship service. We have worship services with the bells, and the big loud organ and the huge choir and all that kind of stuff. “We’re very aware that that doesn’t speak to everybody. “And so we’re starting a new service that we’re calling Ten:10 based on John 10:10. It’s gonna be more of a coffee house-type feel.

UCC is embracing new approaches to ministry, including a more casual "coffee house-type feel" service called Ten:10, based on John 10:10. Dr. “We were about to kick this off right before we shut down. We thought maybe we should start it as an online service, right? “And we all kind of looked around and thought, yeah, exactly. “So all of this is intertwined as part of University Christian Church’s future.

Celebrating 150 Years of Service

Congregants of University Christian Church, located at 2720 S. University Drive, gathered in the church’s sanctuary for its 150th anniversary service. The church opened the service with an introit called “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Introits are psalms or hymns sung at the beginning of a worship service. Sign up for essential news for the Fort Worth area.

Mary Jane Alland, wearing the maroon dress, came to the church’s Oct. 15 service with her immediate and extended family. They all sat in the same pews where Alland’s mother used to sit in the sanctuary. She became a member in 1982 as a Texas Christian University student. Alland was a part of the college ministry and played on the softball team - where she met her future husband. “It’s just been a huge part of my life,” Alland said.

Congregants, clergy and Fort Worth leaders gathered Oct. 15 in the sanctuary of the church to celebrate its founding 150 years ago as the place of worship for AddRan College, now known as TCU. The church relocated to Fort Worth in 1911 and operated within Texas Christian University until 1933 when it built its permanent home at 2720 S. The anniversary service blended traditional and casual worship styles such as the lighting of the candles, acoustic songs meaningful to the church, traditional hymns and Communion. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker stands at the pulpit in the sanctuary of University Christian Church to deliver a proclamation for the church’s 150 years of service. The Oct. 15 service was the last of the church’s three-part worship series called “A Work in Progress: 150 Years of Partnering with God.” The Rev. Russ Peterman, current senior minister, and the Rev. R. The Rev. R. Scott Colglazier, former senior minister of the church, sat with the Rev. Russ Peterman, current senior minister. During the “sermon in conversation,” Peterman and Colglazier reflected on the church’s past and talked about their hopes for its future. Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report.

University Church Chicago: A Legacy of Justice and Peace

University Church in Chicago, originally known as Hyde Park Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ), began its ministry in 1894 under the leadership of Herbert Lockwood Willett. Dr. Willett, invited by his Yale friend Dr. William Rainey Harper, gathered a group to form the church near the University of Chicago.

A Gospel of Justice and Peace

University Church has been and continues to be devoted to a gospel of justice and peace. Throughout our history, University Church has sought to address issues of the Hyde Park and surrounding neighborhoods, providing a voice of challenge and social conscience. We also have sought to create a loving and welcoming community that includes students and the wider community, and have planned events of all types to bring us together in faithful community. Under the leadership of Edward Scribner Ames (the church’s third pastor, serving from 1900-1940), the church addressed the issue of the relationship between science and religion.

Dr. Ames was instrumental in helping to construct a coherent and consistent vision of what University Church could be in the world: This church practices union; has no creed; seeks to make religion as intelligent as science, as appealing as art, as vital as the day’s work, as intimate as home, as inspiring as love. These words from Dr. Ames, found on the sanctuary walls, continue to be central to the church’s mission.

Addressing Social Issues

Also oriented towards the social gospel, they sought to serve their neighbors best through direct action - studying the needs of the neighborhood and going door to door. Over time South Congregational became almost wholly African-American, while University Church remained mostly white.

Racial integration became a priority for University Church in the years after WWII, leading this change while the city itself was still struggling with artificial and real lines of segregation. The issues changed as well, and University Church became a social justice congregation committed to the Civil Rights movements of the 50s and 60s. Evidence of anti-war campaigns and marches for poor people’s rights can still be found throughout the church, and these commitments were intentionally reflected in the church’s liturgy and art of the time. A lasting sign of the commitment to social justice came when University Christian Church became dually affiliated with the United Church of Christ denomination in 1977.

Merging and Expanding

A second crucial partnership was formed when South Community Church (formed by a merger between South Congregational Church and Community Christian Church) merged with University Christian Church in 1980, together forming University Church Chicago - an intentionally multicultural faith community. With the decades of the 70s and 80s came public dialogues of gender roles; gay rights; Vietnam and Iran Contra; and continued race and class conflict in the nation. In 1980, the church went on public record as opposed to America’s involvement in Indochina, also drafting a resolution to become a “Peace Church,” assisting pacifist youth in their opposition to participating in military service. At the same time, University Church has a memorial stained glass in the sanctuary to honor service men and women. In 1985 the church joined the Sanctuary Movement for political refugees and victims of violence in Central America. University Church provided sanctuary for two Guatemalan families, and continues the relationship by sending delegations to Guatemala on a yearly basis (learn more in “Ministry Partners”). We are also now part of the New Sanctuary Movement.

The Blue Gargoyle and a Legacy of Advocacy

University Church was also known for many years as the home of the Blue Gargoyle organization, a nonprofit group that provided tutoring, skills training, and employment assistance to the surrounding community. The Blue Gargoyle began with the leadership and vision of members of University Church (to this day, people refer to UChurch as “Church of the Blue Gargoyle”), and pastors Charles Bayer, Charles Harvey Lord, Peg Stearn, Don Coleman and Ann Marie Coleman are responsible for the legacy of social advocacy and prophetic witness that became a trademark of University Church during this time.

Welcoming All

The commitments of University Church are clear: to be welcoming to all who enter, to proclaim a gospel of justice and peace, and to celebrate and honor the gifts brought by diversity. In the spirit of welcoming all, UChurch is “Open and Affirming,” providing opportunities for leadership and ministry with no stipulation of race, class, gender, age, orientation, personality, or ability. Whoever you are, Wherever you’re from, you are welcome. Here.

A Renewed Commitment

In 2010, the congregation called Julian DeShazier to serve as senior minister, the first African American pastor in the church’s history, and the first to serve while under thirty years old. With Pastor Julian comes a renewed commitment to our storied tradition, a fresh energy towards students and the arts, and a community that is in covenant to be faithful and active in Chicago and everywhere the love of God is needed! Join us in God’s continuing testament, as we honor the past, embrace the present, and hope boldly into tomorrow!

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