Rev. Alan G. Deale

The Rev. Alan G. Deale was attracted here from the Unitarian Church of Fairhaven, Massachusetts in 1958. He was a young, energetic, and feisty New Englander, possessed of a keen intellect which challenged his listeners. Forthright, he had a pithy, lively sense of humor which raised a few hackles - qualities which were balanced by a capacity for compassion for the human condition.

Alan took a leadership role in various social reform projects which emerged during the 60's. He was willing to take risks with his congregation and in the community in an attempt to redress the social and economic inequalities which offended him. He served as Chair of the Community Action Committee, was active in the Mental Health Association, and worked hard for the improvement of the public schools.

Alan was a builder of churches with a genuine understanding of architecture and a probing curiosity about the processes of building, which were to serve this congregation well. The congregation purchased 10.5 acres east of Alpine Road in 1960, and in 1965 Pietro Belluschi, Dean of Architecture at MIT agreed to accept the commission to design a new church in co-operation with local architect C. Edward Ware. Alan Deale was present to supervise the pouring of each cubic foot of concrete. The first service was held in the new church on September 18, 1966. At that time, the name of the church was changed from Church of the Christian Union (Unitarian) back to The Unitarian Church. (In 1993 it was changed again, to The Unitarian Universalist Church. )

In June 1970, Mr. Deale resigned to accept the pulpit of the Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon, which he served with distinction until his retirement in 1992. In December 1996, the Social Hall of the Church was designated the Alan G. Deale Hall in commemoration of Dr. Deale's significant leadership in the construction of the building.