The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs has always been a beacon of community, compassion, and connection. For years, we have thrived at 624 North Broadway, a space that has provided roots and a sense of belonging. However, as the world changes and the needs of the community evolve, we have decided to embark on a new journey. In December, 2022, we voted to leave our current home and build a beautiful and accessible new one on a five-acre property at 400 Louden Road. 

We’re not just moving to a new location. We’re embracing a future in which connection, inclusivity, and spiritual growth will be paramount.

The Need for Connection

In today’s world, the need for connection has never been greater. We live in a time of growing isolation, division, and climate crisis. People crave connections that help them find and create meaning in their lives. We recognize this deep need and feel keenly the demands of the spirit. While 624 North Broadway has served us well, it was never intended to be a forever home. We have longed for a building and campus that would enable us to do more meaningful work in service and ministry, responding fully to the needs of the spirit.

The Increasing Need for Community

Despite a decline in religious participation nationally, the need for the connection, companionship, and meaningfulness that a religious congregation provides has only increased. The epidemic of loneliness we are experiencing nationally motivates us further to create a community of love for justice and peace. The shifting political landscape in the U.S. further illustrates the need for Unitarian Universalists to actualize our values. We are called to ensure that democracy survives and thrives and that justice and equity are possible.

Serving a Growing and Changing Community

The population of Saratoga Springs continues to grow, unlike New York State as a whole. Many people are looking to Saratoga as the place to live out the third or fourth act of their lives, and these elders need opportunities for community and purpose. The shifting local demographics, with a higher percentage of the population being of retirement age, do not diminish the needs of families with young children. In many ways, these families need more support and attention. Children need a community committed to advocating for an education that doesn’t whitewash history and creates space for them to explore religion’s ideas and practices with love and compassion.

A New Vision for a New Home

After years of hopes, dreams, and efforts, we are on the cusp of manifesting a new home and a new future. The sale of 624 North Broadway is pending, and the congregation and the Saratoga Springs Planning Board has approved our application to build a new meeting house on a five-acre property at 400 Louden Road. 

Our new home will not only move our congregation physically but also spiritually closer to nature and the earth. The natural setting will create space for contemplation, growing resilience and spiritual resources to serve beyond the walls. The space will be fully accessible, with technology to support hearing accessibility and online accessibility. It will be an inspiring space, enabling opportunities for both reflection and rambunctiousness.

Our mission statement for our new building focuses on four key values and goals.  Our new building will:

• Live lightly on the land with a strong connection to nature.
• Be welcoming and full of natural light and fresh air
• Provide space for tranquility and multigenerational community
• Inspire creativity, curiosity, and reverence within the congregation and the greater community.

Programmatically, we seek to: 

• Create More Accessible and Inspiring Spaces: The new meetinghouse will provide physically accessible, safe, appropriate, and inspiring spaces for congregational activities and the ability to host community events and organizations. Three of our five acres will be open to the community as walking and birding trails.
• Serve the Growing Population of Retirees as well as Families with Children: The congregation aims to serve the growing population of retirees by enabling connections, meaning, and purpose while also supporting families with children through intergenerational love, compassion, and freedom of belief.
• Leverage Connective Technologies: By utilizing digital accessibility technologies, the congregation will engage beyond the physical walls, reaching a broader audience and fostering a more inclusive community.

The ability to host a variety of events and organizations will enable us to extend a welcoming hand to anyone in need of compassion and spiritual growth. Collaborations with others in the work for justice will be possible in spaces full of natural light, friendly to children, and making clear how much the congregation values every individual.

Making the Vision a Reality

Our  journey to this point has been supported by generous contributions from the congregation and the community. Significant donations, bequests, and successful fundraising campaigns have brought the vision closer to reality. However, there is still work to be done. The pending sale of 624 North Broadway and ongoing fundraising efforts will ensure that the new home is built, completed, and furnished to meet the needs of the congregation and the community.

Our decision to leave 624 North Broadway for a new home reflects our commitment to serving the evolving needs of the community, embracing inclusivity, and fostering connections that are more important than ever. We move forward with a sense of purpose and a mission to create a space where love, justice, and peace can flourish. We are building a better world.