In the early 1980’s, the Joseph Priestly District formed a committee to explore areas in greater Baltimore for a new Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregation. After finding a location in the Northwest section of Baltimore County and Carroll County, they placed an ad for members. The new congregation was named Unitarian Universalists of Northwest Baltimore, and 25 founding members singed the membership book on October 20, 1985. After meeting in various locations in the Reisterstown/Glyndon area, the congregation knew it was time to look for a permanent home. 

In 1994, two members found the perfect building for the congregation in Finksburg, MD. After pouring a lot of hard work and dedication into renovating the building, it was officially purchased in 1997. The new location required a new name, and after much discussion, the congregation was renamed Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalists (CUU).  

CUU honors past and present ministerial leadership and appreciates the time and effort each minister has given to the congregation. CUU’s first settled minister was Rev. Henry Simoni-Wastila in 2001. He faithfully served the congregation until 2012. After an extensive search for another minister, during which Rev. Bruce Marshall served for two years as Interim Minister, Rev. Amy Williams Clark joined the congregation in 2015. She served as minister at CUU for nine years, and recently left to pursue another endeavor. Our current minister, Rev. Kimberley Debus, began serving us in August 2024, and we look forward together toward growth, diversity, community engagement and interfaith collaboration – and joy!

For a detailed timeline of CUU’s history, click here.