Welcome
Our Mission
Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, the North Chapel aspires to be a congregation that nurtures the growth and supports the needs of its members, sustains a strong spiritual life within a loving church community, and seeks to have a positive impact on the world around us.
We are a fellowship of individuals who find strength in our diversity.
Each individual among us brings a unique collection of experiences and insights. We enjoy the richness this contributes to our services, our socializing, our music, our shared joys and concerns, our discussions and our vision of the future.
What Makes Us A Community
Our Beliefs
Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded religion that encourages seekers to find their own spiritual path.
Our faith draws on many religious sources, welcoming people with different beliefs.
We are united by shared values, not by creed or dogma.
Our congregations are places where we gather to nurture our spirits and put our faith into action by helping to make our communities—and the world—a better place.
Our History
The North Universalist Chapel Society was formed by the people of the Woodstock, Vermont area in the late 1700’s when, as was typical in New England, Vermont residents were required to support and attend the established church in their town unless they declared in writing that they belonged to another.
With it’s classic white steeple and columned entry, our church is lovingly called North Chapel. The history of the church with its Revere Bell and Thayer organ is fascinating.
Our Services
Sunday services our held at 10 am in our Sanctuary.
Our talented choir sings world music as well as hymns. We often have guest musicians during the summer.
There is a guest speaker each month giving the reflection.
Everyone is welcome to join us after the service for coffee hour in the social hall.
Recordings of the Sunday services will be posted on this website’s Worship With Us page and on our North Chapel YouTube channel as soon as they are available.
Click on the button below for updates.
Reasons to Join a UU Church
John Wolf, the Minister Emeritus of a church in Tulsa, once wrote:
“There is only one reason for joining a Unitarian Universalist church and that is: to support it. You want to support it because it stands against superstition and fear. Because this church points to what is noblest and best in human life. Because it is open to women and men of whatever race, creed, color, place of origin, or sexual orientation.
“You want to support a Unitarian Universalist church because it has a free pulpit. Because you can hear ideas expressed there which would cost any other minister his or her job. You want to support it because it is a place where children come without being saddled with guilt or terrified of some celestial Peeping Tom, where they can learn that religion is for joy, for comfort, for gratitude and love.
“You want to support it because it is a place where walls between people are torn down rather than built-up. Because it is a place for the religious displaced persons of our time, the refugees from mixed marriages, the unwanted free-thinkers and those who insist against orthodoxy that they must work out their own beliefs.
“You want to support a UU church because it is more concerned with human beings than with dogmas. Because it searches for the holy, rather than dwelling upon the depraved. Because it calls no one a sinner, yet knows how deep is the struggle in each person’s breast and how great is the hunger for what is good.
“You want to support a UU church because it can laugh. Because it stands for something in a day when religion is still more concerned with platitudes than with prejudice and war. You want to support it not because it buys you some insurance policy towards your funeral service, but because it insults neither your intelligence nor your conscience, and because it calls you to worship what is truly worthy of your sacrifice.
“There is only one reason for joining a Unitarian Universalist church: to support it!”
Contact us.
North Universalist Chapel Society 7 Church Street, Woodstock VT 05091 Directions/Map
Minister: Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley can be reached by calling or texting 802-369-5104.
Music Director: Diane Mellinger can be reached at 802-234-6619 or vermontdianem@aol.com
Administrative Assistant: Joanne Boyle can be reached at 802-369-9838 or office@northchapelvt.org
Director of Spiritual Education: Tatum Barnes can be reached at 646-675-9232 or tatumali1030@gmail.com