Inside, there’s a bell in the belfry - a generous gift from Joseph Stratton in 1882. It’s said you can still imagine its solemn toll during turbulent times. Over the years, these walls have felt the stomp of progress and the hush of protest alike. In 1900, while most pulpits were still “man-only” affairs, Abbie Danforth strode in and turned the county upside down, founding the Portage County suffrage association and leading a fiery conference for women’s right to vote. Fast forward to the 1960s; the church’s voice rang out against the Vietnam War and after the tragic May 4, 1970 shootings at Kent State, defied the mayor’s ban on gatherings by hosting a bold memorial service right here.
Ever wonder what sort of congregation skips paying taxes on their telephones to protest a war? These folks did, taking Nixon to task in resolutions and demanding liberty - right here in little old Kent, Ohio! If these old pews could talk, they’d regale you with tales of concerts - classical and jazz - and of books changing hands at the church’s annual book sale.
This church has always been about breaking boundaries. Early on, its doors flung open to clergywomen like Carlotta Crosley and Violet Kochendoerfer, decades before women leading churches was “in.” And more recently, Reverend Melissa Carvill-Ziemer led with the courage to challenge white privilege and stand up for social justice, so much so she landed in handcuffs in Arizona, only to be acquitted by a judge later. Now that’s dedication - or maybe just a really stubborn sense of fairness.
With a strong focus on children’s learning, they even run a Harry Potter-themed camp, Kent Hogwarts, where kids learn chemistry and poetry - sometimes I wonder if any of them have tried to turn their pens into wands. The church’s seven Unitarian Universalist principles welcome you no matter where you wander on life’s spiritual map, whether you’re devout or just, well, spiritual-ish.
So, take a deep breath and pause. Behind this modest façade lies the only church in Kent still using its 19th-century building, standing as living proof that faith can stand the tests of time, change, and the occasional magical mischief. Ready for the next stop? Let’s keep the adventure going!
