Our History

In 1999 two dozen Loveland Unitarian Universalists, most of whom were members of the Fort Collins-based Foothills Unitarian Church, decided to form their own church in Loveland. Their first Sunday morning service was held on March 19, 2000, with 32 adults, five children, and a volunteer minister, Kent Robertson. Services continued twice a month led by guest speakers and our own members, and we provided children’s religious education.

On May 20, 2001, 38 individuals became Charter Members and the Namaqua Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NUUC) was officially established. The next month the first Board of Trustees was elected, applied for membership in the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and became a legally recognized organization in the State of Colorado. Funds were provided not just by members but with general contributions from the Foothills Unitarian Church. The fledgling congregation was active in the community and held social events for its members.

Over the next fifteen years, NUUC’s membership grew. What came to be called our “Nomadic Journey” involved gathering each Sunday in seven different locations over several years. At a special congregational meeting in August 2014, members voted to purchase the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church built in 1915 on the corner of 5th and Pierce Streets in Loveland, Colorado. We held our first services in our new home beginning in November 2015.

In 2017, NUUC was designated an LBGTQ Welcoming Congregation by the UUA.

NUUC has had four ministers to date. First, was Reverend Alicia Forde who served half-time starting in 2003. She was followed by Consulting Minister Reverend Todd Strickland in 2008. In August of 2008, we called our first full-time minister, Reverend Laurel Liefert, who helped us realize the dream of having an outstanding intern minister, clare hammoor, then retired in June of 2022.  We’re currently enjoying our contract minister, the Reverend Dana Lightsey.