The first Unitarian Church in Jacksonville was organized in 1907 by U.S. Senator Duncan U. Fletcher. Its first building was completed in 1909, at Union and Laura Streets, and the future seemed secure. Unfortunately, the depression years were lean ones for the Church, and although the Universalists helped stabilize the situation for awhile, the group finally disbanded and the building was sold in 1943.

In 1950 another Unitarian fellowship was organized. The new congregation prospered, and in 1957, it purchased an old home on St. Johns Avenue in Avondale. As the congregation grew the facility became overcrowded, and in 1966 an award-winning new Church complex was dedicated in the Arlington area of Jacksonville.

In 1988, activities began at the Jacksonville church to consider the feasibility of a new UU group, to serve Jacksonville’s rapidly growing areas. A New Congregation Task Force was established to determine those areas with the most potential and to ascertain if a new UU presence was needed.

By mid-1989, the communities of Mandarin and Orange Park were identified as having the most potential. The Task Force began to move ahead with publicity and orientation meetings. These meetings were held on Sunday evenings, alternating between Orange Park and Mandarin.

On May 5th, 1990, the first religious service of the Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Society was held, and 22 people became charter members. A temporary meeting site was selected in the Orange Park Business Center. Activities mushroomed, and essential organizing tasks of incorporating, developing a mission statement, goals and by-laws were accomplished. By late summer of the first year, both adults and youngsters had outgrown our meeting place, and after an extensive search and negotiations, we found our present home at the Mandarin Community Club. Since the move, we have refined our leadership structure, religious education and Sunday programming, and have furthered our bonding process. We share a sense of vision, goals and enthusiasm, and we work well together. We are a growing religious community, and are proud to welcome you in sharing our journey.