Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada
Famous Unitarians and Universalists in Canada
SPECIAL: Invisible Influence gives life to nearly forgotten women
The Invisible Influence Project researches and shares the history of UU Women in Canada. It includes a call for papers and proposals, a workshop on feminist theology and history in May 2008, a day-long conference in 2008, and a book: Invisible Influence: Claiming the Contributions of Unitarian Universalist Women in Canada.
The project was created after Kingston Unitarian Fellowship minister Rev. Kathy Sage gave a year long sermon series on “Famous Canadian Unitarian and Universalists.”
| Following a lead in a paper by Rev. Heather Fraser Fawcett, a trip to Picton, Ontario, was undertaken by these two U.U. clergy and Mary Bennett, Executive Director of the C.U.C. At the Archives in Picton they discovered the original record book of the Bloomfield Universalist congregation where Rev. Fidelia Gillette served from 1888-89. She may be the first ordained woman of any denomination to serve in Canada. Likewise Mary Ann Hayden Church is listed in the "Universalist Register" as preaching Universalism in 1839 in nearby Merrickville.
These early Universalist women preaching in Canada have received scant notice or research. There is no one comprehensive history book of Canadian Unitarian and Universalist women (CU&UW).
This project is an attempt to reclaim histories and stimulate interest across Canada for the early contributions of lay and ordained U & U women in Canada.
This project will highlight and make available through the Invisible Influence web site all research and resources. |
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A recent effort produced 15 Sketches of Canadian Women (Baros-Johnson and McDonald) (ordering information). The UU Women’s Heritage Society efforts have occasionally included Canadian women. Louise Foulds' revised Universalists in Ontario included limited references to early Universalist women and Philip Hewitt’s Unitarians in Canada included tantalizing references to early Universalist women ministers such as Rev. Fidelia Gillette and early Universalist preacher Mary Ann Hayden Church.
Much of the presence and influence of Unitarian and Universalist women in Canada is hidden, obscured, and neglected. The resulting publication will be a stimulating and useful compilation of the results of a cross Canada collaboration.
Links to Learn about Famous Uu's
A list of famous Unitarians and Universalists in Canada is available on the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa web site. Use the links below to learn more about some of these people.
Famous Unitarians and Universalists in Canada
Canadian Unitarian Historical Society
Famous Unitarians Links
Famous Unitatians and Universalists
Harvard Square Library - Notable Unitarians and Universalists
Unitarian Universalist Historical Society
Document Library
