Reasons to Give
… because you believe in restoration
Our church is the only one in Dubuque in the Carpenter Gothic style, distinguished by its pointed arch windows, steep-pitched roofs, and decorative wood millwork – familiar architectural features in Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” painting.
When the German Methodist Episcopal Church congregation constructed the church and parsonage in 1885, services were held for German-speaking residents of Dubuque County – the largest local ethnic group at the time. The church changed its name to Grace Methodist Church in 1918, in the wake of anti-German sentiment. In 1965 the congregation joined St. Luke’s Methodist Church.
The building later housed the Assembly of God, then Grace Bible Baptist Church, before being purchased in 2004 by the UU Fellowship. The Fellowship started meeting in members’ homes in 1985. As we grew, we moved to the Masonic Temple, then Windsor Park, before settling into our true church home.
… because you believe in neighborhoods
Outreach to the neighborhood and wider community is a bedrock of our mission, from picking up trash around the block after church to preparing and serving meals at Hope House and supporting social justice organizations around the city. We make our parsonage available to Families First, a state-sponsored organization that provides a home-like setting for supervised visits uniting parents and children separated by the courts – helping restore family unity. We host the Historic District Coffeehouse, drawing appreciative audiences to hear local musicians, poets and storytellers.
Sharing stories
Our congregation is committed to inviting speakers from area nonprofits, small businesses, the arts, and social justice organizations as well as Judaism, Islam, and other religious traditions. Speakers including Alan Garfield, Leslie Shalabi, Don Koppes, Megan Ruiz, Alex Baum, Jillayne Pinchuk, Mike Mbanza and Rick Mihm share spirituality and engage us in thoughtful discussion. They come from organizations including Hope House, Path of Hope Immigration Services, Temple Beth El, Hospice, Resources Unite, Tri-State Islamic Center, Dubuque Rescue Mission, Presentation Lantern Center, and Catholic Charities Jail and Prison Ministry.
Restoration is contagious!
We value our place in the Jackson Park Historic District, providing a stable downtown presence. Because our buildings are contributing structures in the Jackson Park Historical District, they are included in the National Register of Historic Places, and eligible for state historic tax credits. Restoring our building will enhance and inspire the neighborhood to keep improving.
… because you believe in social justice
The UU Fellowship of Dubuque is a small, primarily lay-led congregation with a 35-year history of actively working to create a more just, equitable, compassionate world. As part of the larger Unitarian Universalist denomination, we put our faith in deeds, not creeds, and welcome people from every spiritual background. Theists, agnostics, humanists, Christians – all are welcome.
Our mission is to provide a welcoming community that inspires growth by encouraging individuals and families to examine their religious and spiritual beliefs, to explore new ideas, and to respect and enjoy each other’s differences.
We proactively support racial, LGBTQ, environmental and other justice efforts through educational programming, direct action, and financial support. UUFD members participated in peaceful demonstrations for racial justice in Jackson Park, and the church is an active member of the NAACP. We handed out hundreds of face masks, made by one of our members, to neighborhood residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Half of each Sunday collection is donated to a local charity.