Unitarians Dedicate New Church Building

Capping a three-year recovery from the Northridge earthquake, members of the Emerson Unitarian Church officially dedicated their new building Sunday evening with the head of their national organization in attendance.

“The voice of God was not in the earthquake and not in the fire, but in the small voice that reached you, that said you had a purpose and a mission in this place,” said the Rev. John Buehrens, president of the 1,000-congregation Unitarian Universalist Assn., headquartered in Boston.

Construction of the new church to replace the one destroyed in the quake was completed weeks ago, but the dedication ceremony was delayed until Buehrens could take part. Buehrens had encouraged the congregation to raze the old building and rebuild.

“The last time he was here, he was looking at the building and saying it ought to be torn down,” said Dave Margerum, a member of the church for 37 years.

The structure destroyed in the quake was built in 1918 by a Methodist group and was acquired by the Unitarians more than two decades ago. Until then, much of the Emerson church’s 40-year history was nomadic, with services held in Jewish temples, community centers and a Masonic lodge.

After the earthquake, the Emerson church returned to that nomadic life, keeping in touch with members via a telephone network. Offices were set up in rented trailers, and some services were held in a nearby seniors center. No service was ever missed, according to members of the congregation.

“To have our own facility is just fantastic,” Margerum said.

The dedication ceremony began with a performance by the choir, which was forced to disband during the recovery.

“We are here to celebrate dreams made real,” said the Rev. Gail Geisenhainer.

Speakers recounted highlights of church history, such as appearances by Jane Fonda, a pet rock funeral in the 1970s and volleyball games that ended when the church built a parking lot on what had been a playing field.

“Believe me, I know why you are here on this site,” Buehrens said. “On behalf of the more than 1,000 congregations across the continent, I can only say I stand in awe of what the small voice speaking within you called on you to accomplish.”