In December 2006, the Vision Fund paid out the final Fellowship loan note for the purchase of the former Faith Bible Church property.

The 100 member UU Fellowship, with 14 children, voted, in spring 1994, to buy the available church. With Bill Ball’s financial planning and Chuck Smith’s designs for initial remodeling, enthusiasm was high. Dick Blount and Orma Vosseller managed member loans with legal help from Ken Youngblood, for financing the purchase. A Chalice Lighter grant provided additional funds for kitchen and downstairs furnishings.

The permanent UUFH home provided more appropriate space for Sunday worship and RE classes and the opportunity for developing new programs and expanding social activities. Tammy Capes Jones and William Heatherly’s wedding was an exciting the first event held in our own building. Sadly, several memorial services were held in the first year.

The brick house at 409 E. Patterson St. also member financed was bought in 1998. This new space for office and small meeting room allowed Fellowship Hall to be remodeled for large groups and Sunday social hour.

The courage and vision of the Fellowship to undertake the move was challenging and exciting in 1994 and the intervening twelve years have continued to be an exciting adventure. Symbolically UUFH has ‘burned the mortgage’ and continues on its adventurous journey into the future.