Buildings & Grounds

Indoor and Outdoor Space

The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary

You are invited to explore the woods, sculptures, and meditation garden outdoors anytime during the week. Indoor spaces are used throughout the week by members and friends, as well as by community organizations. The wood pulpit was made by Jim Woodruff as was the glass table seen in the center of the sanctuary photo at right. The linen hanging from the pulpit was made by a woman from our Oklánd , Transylvania (Romania) Partner Church using a traditional Székely design.

For more about using our space go to Rental Information.

Building & Grounds Committee

The Building & Grounds Committee works to maintain and improve the Fellowship’s building and outside areas by coordinating skilled volunteers; setting special Spring/Fall Cleaning days for congregational involvement; recommending needed expenditures to the Board; and coordinating projects with the Green Sanctuary Committee, all to provide a safe, attractive, and ecologically sound environment for our Fellowship. Any concerns about maintenance or recommendations for improvements are appreciated and should be tagged “Building & Grounds” and sent by e-mail to uufa@uuathensga.org , or contact B&G Chair Iva King at ivaking@bellsouth.net.

Fellowship Facility History

Our building was completed in 1992, thanks to generous donors and far-sighted members. The building was designed by architect David W. Osler, of Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The building and grounds were renovated and expanded in 2018 based on designs by Houser Walker Architects of Atlanta and Koons Environmental Design of Athens.  For more information on the expansion and renovation project, click on the Expanding Our Vision page.

Outdoor Artwork

 

Outdoor sculptures by two artists in Athens, Harold Rittenberry, Jr., and Robert Clements, decorate UUFA grounds.

Gateway to the Memorial Woods

Leissner Archway 314
Archway by Daniel Leissner

UUFA’s first minister, Cliff Hoffman, his wife, and one of their two sons all returned to the earth which lies beneath the benches and slates in the wooded alcove near the former labyrinth. Since then, other members have chosen these sacred woods for their scattered or buried cremains. An arch created by Dan Leissner and installed by Dan and his mother, UUFA member Barbara Leissner, leads to the Memorial Woods. Contact Rev. Eskildsen for more information on this.

 

 

Memorial Wall and Terrace

Memorial Wall

UUFA’s new memorial area was made possible by the generous donations of two families who envisioned a special outdoor place to remember family they had loved and lost. The donors wish to remain unnamed, though we greatly appreciate their gift. The wall and terrace were designed by Julene Anderson and built by Bud Newton in 2013. Members and friends are invited to sit, remember, and rest in this sacred space accessible to wheeled walkers and wheelchairs. The memorial wall will  hold plaques to commemorate loved ones who have died. The memorial area was dedicated on October 27, 2013. Please contact Rev. Eskildsen if you have questions about ash scattering or burial in UUFA’s wooded areas.

Former Zen Meditation Garden & Pond

Pink pond lilies bloom in UUFA's rock garden
Pink pond lilies bloom in the meditation garden

Prior to UUFA’s renovations, at the front of the building, there was a Zen garden and pond created by Chuck and Suzanne Murphy. The grouping of three stones in a bed near the front window is a traditional element in a Zen garden, with the tall stone representing the sky, the medium stone representing man, and the flat stone representing the earth. The garden design includes a sand bed so that members and visitors can use the rake in the entryway if they feel inclined to express themselves. The pond is very popular with visitors of all ages because it’s populated with fish, frogs, snails and water lilies. The garden area was dedicated on May 27, 2012. Look for the creation of new meditation spaces in the coming year!