Unity of the Hill Country was organized in February of 1976 by Kit and Mac McClure and led by Rev. Olsson. Within time Joan McKee, a Licensed Unity Teacher from San Antonino, her husband Don, and the McClures started UHC with a seed fund donation of $100.
In August of 1978, an Advisory Committee was formed, the name Unity Church of the Hill Country (UCHC), now known as Unity of the Hill Country, was chosen and an agreement was made with the Seventh Day Adventists of Kerrville to rent their building on Sundays for $25. The first service was held in September of 1978.
The 1980s was a time of expansive dreams. UCHC was incorporated by the State of Texas and accepted in the Association of Unity Churches. January of 1983 UCHC was dedicated and expansion of rented space began.
The 1990s brought about growing pains and there was a change in leadership. In December 1996 UCHC welcomed Rev. Sharon Davidson as its new minister. The late ’90s continued to be a time of spiritual growth for the leadership and congregation with Rev. Davidson leaving in the summer of 1999. For months following Rev. Davidson’s departure members of the congregation along with Licensed Unity Teachers volunteered as the speakers for each week’s service. UCHC almost closed its doors, but by the Grace of God, the members pulled together and resurrected the vision and commitment to holding UCHC as a cherished community for themselves and others in Kerrville, Texas. Rev. Patsy and Rev. Mac McCullough often lead services and eventually, Rev. Mac was brought to Kerrville full time. Growth had started, classes were formed and the congregation started to grow. Lynn Key became our music director and continues in that role.
2003 brought devastation to our loving community as Rev. Mac sustained fatal injuries in an automobile accident and once again UCHC was without a committed visionary leader. God has a plan though and never leaves us. Rev. Patty Edwards and her husband Rev. Eddy Edwards had retired from their California Ministry to Kerrville and Rev. Patty enthusiastically accepted the role as minister for the UCHC congregation. This was a time of healing and the vibrant spirit of Rev. Patty infused the community with new life. The longtime dream of a choir became a reality and “The Celebrations” was formed. Rev. Patty’s “can-do” attitude led to many areas of tidying and cleaning up.
In 2007 the seeds were taking root. The Board and Rev. Patty formed a Vision Team, a building site was found and through a series of events 1016 Jefferson St. was purchased. 2009 a Building Team was formed; in August 2012 a Groundbreaking ceremony was held and in June 2013 Phase 1 & 2 of a four-phase building project took place. The first service in the new building was held on June 16, 2013.
In August of 2017 our beloved Minister of fourteen and a half wonderful years, Patty Ewards, retired. Our hearts were heavy, but also happy; as we knew that her heart yearned to be with her children and grandchildren more, to travel the wide-open spaces, and to spend more time in contemplative study and prayer. We are filled with incredible gratitude for Rev. Patty, for the amazing memories of joy, laughter, fun, amazing spiritual growth and expansion, and deeply moving moments of spiritual inspiration, that have connected us one to another here at Unity in our beloved Hill Country.
In September of 2017 Transition Consultant, Rev. Toni Boehm began working with UCHC to lead our congregation with several weekend training modules for Board members, congregants, and friends to walk through the change of our minister. These were exciting times, as we all looked at “Honoring the Past and Creating the Future” and creating our new “Mission, Vision, and Core Values” to hold the consciousness for our next minister.
In 2018 we continued the vision of growing our ministry, building a strong and vibrant Youth & Family Ministry and expanding classes to greater serve the community of Kerrville, and eventually complete Phases 3 and 4 of the Building Project. We would speak our statement of intention during our transition… “Together we are attracting the perfect spiritual leader for our church!”
In July of 2018, the Board selected our new Spiritual Leader and on August 1 Beverly Pryor joined us as our new minister. We welcomed her with excitement, joy, and thanksgiving for her presence among us. Our future looks bright with new ideas and affirmations of growth and increase in our faith with community. We go forward in the spirit of love that is Unity.
In September 2018, we were certified by the State of Texas to begin using the assumed name (also known as d.b.a./doing business as) Unity of the Hill Country.
