In September 1983, a small group of Unitarian Universalists interested in starting a fellowship in the Napa/Solano County area of Northern California, gathered the signatures required to receive a Fellowship Charter from the Unitarian Universalist Association. The group met at Homestead Savings in Vallejo and at members’ homes. In that year, 22 people signed the Membership Book, and the Vallejo/Benicia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship was established.
In 1984, Janne Eller-Isaacs made the generous offer to be intern minister for a small stipend. She helped the fledgling fellowship become a real congregation. In subsequent years meetings were lay led, often with guest speakers from the community, from Starr King School for the Ministry, or from the membership itself.
In 1987 Rev. Marilyn Sewell joined us as the Vallejo/Benicia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Consulting Minister. During her four-year tenure, the fellowship grew and matured in many ways. When Rev. Sewell decided to move on to a full-time ministry, the group was fortunate to be able to call Rev. Holly Horn at one-third time. Rev. Holly Horn served as our Consulting Minister from 1991 to early 1993.
By mid-1993, the membership had grown from 40 to 70. In December of 1993, after outgrowing several locations in the Vallejo area, we moved from Vallejo 10 miles to the north, to a meeting space at the First Presbyterian Church of Napa.
Following Rev. Holly’s move to Philadelphia, Rev. Joan Hull was invited to be the minister when the decision to move was made. The move proved difficult for the congregation because of the distance and change of service time, and our membership decreased. In late 1994 Rev. Hull resigned, based on a sense that the match with the congregation was “not right”.
A time of healing followed, ably led by Rev. Catherine Linesch, who joined the congregation as a ministerial consultant from 1996 to 1999. In late 1999, the congregation moved again and began holding services at a Lutheran church in north Napa. From 2000 to 2003, our part-time Contract Ministers were Rev. Richard Allen and Rev. Jay Leach.
In 2001, we changed the name “Unitarian Universalist Church of Napa-Solano” to “Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of North Bay”. That year, the congregation won the Pacific Central District Small Congregation Award for “A Congregation Which Has Made a Difference in Its Community.” Also that year, UUFNB adopted a new Vision Statement, which called for a full-time minister and purchase of our own church property.
2003 brought a move to the Napa Woman’s Club located in downtown Napa, after a search for a new location where services could be held in the morning, be more accessible, and attract more young families. Rev. Lynn Unger served the congregation for the subsequent two years until 2005. During that time we moved twice, landing at the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley.
The Rev. Jennifer Ryu became our consulting minister in 2006. Throughout all these changes of ministers and locations the congregation developed robust lay leadership, remained strong and resilient, and continued to grow.
In 2006, Rev. Dr. Bonnie Dlott began serving as our half-time consulting minister. By June 2007, the congregation voted unanimously to call her as our settled minister. During Rev. Dlott’s eleven year tenure, UUFNB tripled the Building Fund and vigorously researched options for a new facility to rent, buy, or build.
In June 2011, the congregation approved the first update to the Long Range Plan for 2011-2016. In January 2013, after many years of fundraising and a successful capital campaign, UUFNB was able to purchase a permanent home at 1625 Salvador Avenue in Napa. Following renovations, we moved in on September 1, 2013. This was the long-awaited realization of a collective dream, and our congregation was thrilled to be home at last. We changed our name to Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists in 2014.
In 2016, Rev. Dlott chose to work half-time, and Rev. Jeanelyse Doran Adams was hired to be our half-time assistant minister.
Rev. Dlott faced sudden and critical health issues in May 2017, forcing her to take a medical leave. In June of the same year, Rev. Doran Adams, left to take a full-time position elsewhere. In September, Rev. Dlott tentatively returned to NVUU, but retired at the end of October 31, 2017 due to her still fragile health and change in life priorities.
In November 2017, Rev. Christian Schmidt joined NVUU as our half-time contract minister, serving until June 2019. A Ministerial Search Committee was formed during Rev. Schmidt’s time with NVUU, and the search began for a settled minister.
In August of 2019, Rev. Dr. Leisa Huyck accepted a two-year contract to join NVUU at three-quarters time. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shut-down of in-person services in March 2020, Rev. Huyck led the congregation through the shift to online Sunday services. We built our skills for digital services thanks to the hard work of our minister, our Music Director, Brian Shaw, and a large cadre of volunteer celebrants. With strained financial resources due largely to the pandemic, Rev. Huyck’s contract was reduced twice, and she elected to leave NVUU in June 2021. Lay leaders stepped in to lead the congregation while a new ministerial search was conducted.
In February 2022, Rev. Susan Panttaja began serving as NVUU’s half-time contract minister, while completing requirements for ordination as a UU minister. In September 2022, Rev. Dlott was named Minister Emerita of NVUU, in honor of her dedicated and caring service to this congregation.
In July 2023, Rev. Panttaja began a one-year contract as NVUU’s three-quarter-time minister. She was ordained by NVUU and two other congregations in October 2023. Please read more about Rev. Panttaja HERE.
NVUU’s future has yet to be written. Come join us as we continue building a loving community.
Our congregation in 2023:
