Our Mission

The mission of First Unitarian Portland is to create a welcoming community of diverse individuals; to promote love, reason and freedom in religion; to foster lifelong spiritual growth; and to act for social justice.

Our story

“The mission was forefront; the building serves the mission.”   
– Planning Committee Member

Eliot Center is named in honor of Rev. Dr. Thomas Lamb Eliot, arguably the most eminent citizen in Portland in the mid 1800’s. In 1867 his role as the first minister of the First Unitarian Church of Portland solidified his status as a key player in shaping the progressive nature of Portland. He established First Unitarian Church as an institution dedicated to social justice, and was the impetus for the creation of Reed College and The Humane Society.

In the mid 1990’s the board determined that, to best further the mission set forth by Rev. Eliot, the time had come to develop the buildings at the Northwest corner of the Church’s property into what would become Eliot Center. The first step (as well as the second and third step) was to listen. The planning committee met with every group in the organization and its partners: a process that lasted ten years.

Our goal was to construct a building that would meet the needs for as much of our mission-driven work as possible, while also serving as a gathering space for like-minded individuals and organizations. And in 2007, we saw that goal realized. We created a space that is as elegant in an architectural sense as we could make it. The result is a warm, light-filled, and flexible space that is wonderful for everything from business meetings to weddings. 

Please come see for yourself: Eliot Center is a special place.

Joey’s (he/him/his) journey with First Unitarian began in 2016 as a committed member of the Sexton team. His dedication led to a natural transition in 2021 when he stepped into the role of Programs Assistant for the Music Department. During a critical period, he played a key part in facilitating the coordination of efforts to help build the program back up following the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. 

Currently thriving as the Operations & Events Coordinator, Joey seamlessly connects various departments, including facilities, music, and administration. His innate ability to foster collaboration underscores his adaptability and understanding of organizational dynamics. Joey’s academic accomplishments include a Bachelor’s Degree in Sonic Arts & Music Production from Portland State University. Beyond academia, his connection to music is reflected in his active participation in the DIY music scene for over fifteen years as an independent artist. This involvement speaks to his enduring passion for music’s transformative impact. His journey embodies growth, adaptability, and cooperation, contributing to the First Unitarian community’s legacy in multifaceted ways.