About the church
About The United Ministry of Aurora
The United Ministry of Aurora is an eclectic, open, embracing church, full of people who love this community and enjoy sharing with others.
Our 19th century sanctuary sits on the shores of beautiful Cayuga Lake, along with a social hall, playground, labyrinth, and chapel. All are open to the public.
We are a diverse community of those who question, seekers and believers. We follow the teachings of Jesus, knowing that to love God is to love each other and God’s creation. We seek a deeper relationship with the divine and sacred through the Way of Christ.
We are enthusiastic about service to others and about thanking God for our blessings. We try to address systemic injustice by following Jesus’ commandment to care for the least fortunate among us and by working toward justice in our community, nation, world and the health of our planet.
Join us on Sunday morning at 10:30am in our historic sanctuary, or outdoors by the lake in the summer. Or drop in for a concert, presentation, book discussion, sharing session, or just a meal with plenty of fellowship and laughter. If you are interested in learning more about faith and religion, if you are spiritual but not religious, seeking community or just curious, you will likely find something here.
While we do live stream our services and many of our presentations and discussions, we encourage people to attend in person as they are able. Being in community, looking each other in the eye, laughing and sharing together is also a part of the UMA experience.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
–Matthew 22:36-40
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40
Our custom designed 22-rank Moeller pipe organ was installed in the choir loft in 1971. On almost any Sunday morning, you will hear an organ prelude, several hymns, and a postlude played by Scott Gross, our organist.
Our History
The English Gothic home of the United Ministry of Aurora was built in 1860 by the congregation of the Aurora Presbyterian Church – and is a landmark within the nationally registered historic district of the village.
The Aurora Presbyterian congregation incorporated in 1811 and in 1818 erected “a wooden building with a tall slender steeple” on this site. That church, thought to have been designed by Jacob Hovey who also designed the Masonic Temple, was dismantled and its lumber sold to help finance our current structure. Joseph C. Wells of New York City was its architect and Samuel D. Mandell, local master builder, directed its construction. Bricks came by barge from the Carr brick yard about four miles north on the lake, and the limestone was quarried near Union Springs. The bell tower was added in 1864, and the clock was installed the next year. Henry Morgan purchased two round windows in 1867 from The Royal Glass Painting Establishment of Munich, Germany. The other fine painted glass windows were created in the Charles J. Thurston studio in Buffalo, NY. These arrived late… and were “installed by moonlight by the men of the village” the night before the dedication of the church.
St. Paul’s Episcopal parish, established in Aurora in 1835, joined with the Aurora Presbyterian congregation in 1969. The parish relinquished its church building, now a private home, south and across the street, which had been designed and built by Samuel D. Mandell. The members of St. Paul’s brought with them three fine stained glass windows that were installed in the South Annex and three bells that now hang in the UMA tower. These three bells, one of which is dedicated St. Ursula, the patron staint of to school-girls, combined with the steeple’s original “G” bell make a perfect chord. Our combined congregations celebrate a tradition of welcoming all people regardless of their beliefs.
The church interior underwent renovation in 1970 at the time of the congregational merger. The original central pulpit was replaced with a divided chancel, but much of the sanctuary’s original character was preserved. The pews still carry the silver nameplates of early members who purchased their seating. The brass Civil War memorial plaque and two marble portrait medallions by Erastus Dow Palmer, a noted sculptor, enhance the side walls. One of the medallions is of Samuel D. Mandell, and the other of Salem Town, educator, author, and long-time director of the Aurora Academy. Our custom designed 22-rank Moeller pipe organ was installed in the choir loft in 1971.
The South Annex, built in 1910, houses the church offices, Sunday School rooms, and a kitchen. It also provides meeting space for church and village gatherings and is home to the Aurora Preschool and all its activities.
Just north of the church is the Memorial Chapel of the Nativity, given and furnished by generous members of the community in 1978. It is used for meetings and small worship services and houses an antique Italian creche which is displayed during the Christmas season.
On the lake side of the Memorial Chapel is the Memorial Garden, established in 2005. This garden features a flagstone labyrinth, a stone columbarium, and an amphitheater. Internment in the Memorial Garden is available to anyone.
Weddings
Looking for a beautiful place for a wedding? UMA has a beautiful setting both indoors and outdoors for your special day. You can use our chapel, labyrinth, and sanctuary.
Rev. Barb Blom is available to officiate if desired.
All are welcome regardless of race, culture, nation of origin, religious and faith beliefs, gender or sexual orientation.