Gimli Unitarian Church is an independent liberal congregation, which has served the Gimli community since 1891. The church meets primarily in the summer months, drawing its congregation from local residents, cottagers and visitors. We gather for worship on the "odd Sundays" of July and August (first, third and fifth) at 11:00 a.m. There is ample parking in the public lot across the street from the
church. Unitarian Universalism affirms that "the marks of true religion are spiritual freedom, enlightened reason, broad and tolerant sympathy, upright character, and unselfish service." We place greater emphasis on working principles rather than doctrines and beliefs. Consequently, Unitarian Universalist congregations around the world are home to liberal Christians, religious humanists, theists and freethinkers. Our present church was built during the summer of 1905 and dedicated in October of that year. People often ask "what kind of church was this before the Unitarians moved in" but the fact of the matter is that is was built as a Unitarian church and has belonged to Gimli's Unitarians ever since. From 1920 until the 1950s, the congregation was known as the First Federated Church of Gimli, reflecting the merger of the Icelandic Unitarian and New Theology movements. By the 1960s, though, the church returned to its earlier identity, although its legal name is still First Federated Church. Many people are familiar with the church as home to the "A-Spire Theatre," which is operated by the Gimli Theatre Association. Both the theatre and its sponsoring organization are entirely independent of the church, although our congregation is delighted to host them as a tenant. Indeed, the use of the church by a theatrical company continues the tradition of the Menningarfélag, or Cultural Society, which was sponsored by the church during its earliest years.
