Unitarian beliefs first emerged in the fourth century when some scholars debated openly concerning the humanity of Jesus and the Trinitarian theology that associated him with the Godhead. They and anyone affiliated with their beliefs were declared heretics and persecuted. Later, in 1553, Michael Servetus, a prominent theologian, was burned at the stakes for resurecting non-Trinitarian views. It wasn't until 1568 when King John Sigismund of Transylvania (Romania) embraced Unitarianism and the first Unitarian church was formed by Bishop Francis David. After that historic moment for Unitarians, Unitarianism spread across Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Our Unitarian heritage in America was brought over by Rev. Joseph Priestly who established the first Unitarian church in North America . In the United States, Unitarians flourished and formed communities in practically every state from late 1700-1961. During this period, America witnessed a visible Unitarian Christian presence from the formation of this country and its institutions to holding the highest office of the land- The President of the United States. It wasn't until the 1960's that one saw a significant decline in Unitarian Christian Theology. This was partly due to the merger of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations and the advancement of Humanistic thought within their churches. This alliance took both communities into a whole new direction. The churches' liberal traditions combined with Humanism created a new religious movement dedicated to welcoming people of all beliefs and upholding the rights of religious freedom. These pluralistic fellowships and churches still exist today and are highly respected religious establishments. Needless to say, progress is not without sacrifice. As a result of this evolutionary leap, traditional Unitarian Christian churches almost cease to exist, leaving only pockets of churches few and far between. Not until recent times, there have been a reemergence of contemporary Unitarian Christian communities and a restored interest in liberal Christian theology in general.

Links

Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography

Anglo and American Unitarian History

Famous Unitarian and Universalist Women

Unitarian Christians  Worldwide

Unitarian and Free Christian Churches UK

Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council

International Council of Unitarians & Universalists 

Unitarian Church in Hungary

Hungarian Unitarian Church Portal (English)

Transylvanian Unitarian Church

Hungarian/Transylvanian Unitarian Churh Portal

Norwegian Unitarian Church

Christian Unitarian Church of Latin America

Assembly of Christian Unitarians in France

Congregation of Spanish Unitarian Christians

Unitarian Christian Association UK

Italian Unitarian Christian Congregation

Partner Church News and Pilgrimages

Indonesian Unitarian Christians

The Chennai Unitarian Christian Church (India)

Assembly of Christian Unitarians in Burundi

Assembly of Christian Unitarians in Congo

Russian Christian Unitarian Church

Dublin Unitarian Church

Cork Unitarian Church

On the Way Church

A Virtual Tour of Hungarian/Transylvanian Unitarian Churches in English

First Unitarian Congregation in Budapest

Béla Bartók Unitarian Church Budapest

Trans-Danubian Unitarian Diaspora Church

East-Danubian Unitarian Diaspora Congregation

Bereg Unitarian Fellowship

Füzesgyarmat Unitarian Church

Unitarian Church in  Miskolc 

Unitarian Church of Homoródszentmárton

Debrecen Unitarian Church

Hódmezõvásárhely Unitarian Church

Gyõr Unitarian Church