Our History

“The story of the Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society (the “Onion”) is not the story of a religious organization or of a building. It is about people whose lives touched and were touched by a common thread – a need and desire to live and work and play in an atmosphere that nourishes the mind and spirit.” – Muriel Lustica

1943

Gathering

A small band of religious liberals gather with their Universalist minister, The Rev Sheldon Shepard to found United Liberal Church the San Fernando Valley

1947

People’s Church

Under the new leadership of The Rev Harold Schmidt, a new property was purchased and the congregation was incorporated as the People’s Church of the San Fernando Valley.

1950

Meeting House

With the help of the American Unitarian Association, the Universalist Church of America, and Throop Memorial church in Pasadena, our first meeting house opened on Victory Blvd

1954

The People’s Church v County of Los Angeles

The People’s Church loses their tax exempt status and sues the County of Los Angeles over the requirement to sign documents stating:

California Constitutional Amendment, Article XX, Section 3.

Requir[ing] each public officer and employee (except inferior officers and employees exempted by law) to take oath that he neither advocates nor is member of any group advocating overthrow of government by force, that during preceding five years he has not been mcmber of such group except as indicated, that he will neither engage in such advocacy nor become member of such group while holding office. Applies to officers and employees of State. including University of California, and of all political subdivisions and agencies thereof.

1954

Crisis of Conscience

30 Families leave to form Emerson Fellowship over the legal suit

1956

A New Name

Name Changed to Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

1958

The Supreme Court

With the backdrop of McCarthyism, the The People’s Church sued the County of Los Angeles and took the case to the US Supreme Court.

Click Here to Listen to oral arguments:

1958-1966

The Sawyer Years

Rev Paul Sawyer

1966

Acid Test

Paul Sawyer meets The Merry Pranksters and agrees to host The Grateful Dead for the SoCal Acid test with the caveat that they would not distribute LSD on the property.

1964

The Onion Opens

Frank Ehrenthal

1968

The UUA Closes the Onion

minister is disfellowshipped

split: The group that leaves takes the name Valley UU Church

Closed by the UUA

1969

Sepulveda UU Society

Kunstler

“This is not a church!”

Homecoming Sunday 3/2/1969

3/16/1969 – Charter Sunday

1970

Photo from Daily Sundial by Don Weiner

Peace and The Chicago Seven

Kunstler and Taylor speak that the onion

2009

Cultural Monument

Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

2010-2020

The TV Years

2012: Mad Men: Episode: “Christmas Waltz”

2017: Transparent: Episode: “Groin Anomaly”

2021

The is Onion Sold

2023

A New Beginning

The Rev Gordon and “Center for Spiritual Living”

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Our Location

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SepulvedaUU

Center for Spiritual Living
17622 Chatsworth St
Granada Hills, CA 91344

818-724-4260

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Monday – Thursday
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

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