Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City votes to sell church and move

IOWA CITY — After more than a century on the corner of Gilbert Street and Iowa Avenue, members of the Unitarian Universalist Society have voted to sell their property and move.

Roughly 73 percent of the society's approximately 270-member congregation cast votes Sunday to determine the future of their church at 10 S. Gilbert St. Only 17 members voted against selling the property and pursuing a new home in east Iowa City, making for a nearly 92 percent approval, said Tim Adamson, church member and chairman of the facilities steering committee.

'It's quite a statement, and we're proud of our members for looking at the facts and looking at what needs to be done in terms of our mission and moving us forward so clearly,' he said.

The Rev. Steven Protzman noted that, to ensure the right decision was made for the future of the congregation, church officials wanted an approval rating of at least 85 percent.

'We set a high threshold on this vote because we really need people to be on board with this major change,' he said. 'It's very important to have that buy-in in order to really move forward.'

Adamson said the vote approves plans to eventually sell the 107-year-old church, which is aging and cannot be expanded as it is landlocked in its current lot near City Hall.

For the last four months, church officials have been in discussions — which included local developer Jesse Allen of Allen Homes — with property owner Jeff Larson to possibly purchase several acres of Larson's land just west of ACT in East Iowa City.

However, another developer entered into a purchase agreement with Larson for the property about one month ago.

Adamson said if plans with the Larson property don't work out, other options will be explored.

'The congregation has approved this plan, but if that specific purchase isn't available, we will pursue other properties,' he said.

The society was founded in 1838, and the Gilbert Street location is actually its third home.

Now more than 100 years old, the current church has many limitations in accessibility, efficiency and room, Rev. Protzman said, adding that the new building will be larger, more accessible, more efficient and able to better serve the congregation's mission.

'We're going to strive for as high of a level of LEED certification as we can,' he said. 'It's an exciting time in the life of the congregation.'

Wherever the congregation ends up, Adamson said the overwhelming support shown in Sunday's vote shows that the members are ready to build a new church.

'I think it would be hard to overstate that, this is a clear commitment by our congregation to build elsewhere and further our mission in the community by building a new facility,' Adamson said. 'That's what this is. We're going to move forward, so really this is the moment where there's no turning back.'