About Neshoba
About our congregation:
Neshoba is a young, growing congregation founded in 1992, with 186 adult members and 85 children, offering a variety of activities and an extensive adult education program. We're on the east side of greater Memphis and serve a diverse community of religious/spiritual seekers.
We believe in..... loving your neighbor, keeping an open mind, and making the world a better place.
A Brief History of Neshoba
The dream to bring a Unitarian Universalist presence to the eastern part of the Memphis area began in 1990 at First Unitarian Church of Memphis, the “Church of the River,” nearly 100 years after its founding. This church is located on the western edge of Memphis on the banks of the Mississippi River.
The Church of the River Board, which later committed startup financial support for this effort, appointed a feasibility committee to determine whether a new church could succeed.
• The work of this group culminated in the first weekly church service held at the Pickering Community Center in Germantown on January 5, 1992. On March 1, 1992, the charter members signed the membership book.
• In July 1992 Neshoba's first minister, Jean Rickard (who became Jean Rowe after her marriage to Lackey Rowe in 1994), arrived. Later that year the congregation secured rental space on Cordes Circle in Germantown.
• At the annual meeting in 1993 a building fund was established. With the growth of Neshoba additional space was leased in the office park to accommodate religious education.
• In 1994 the board established a Futures Committee to develop a plan for Neshoba's future.
• 1995 saw the formation of a site selection committee.
• In 1996 a committee was appointed to secure land.
• In 1997 our current site was selected for its central location in the metro area and its proximity to the large Shelby Farms Park.
• In 1998 a capital campaign began to raise funds for the land and building.
• In the fall of 2001 the building was completed and dedicated.
• In May 2004 Jean announced her retirement, and her last sermon was conducted on June 19, 2005.
• In August 2005 Tom Rhodes began a 1-year term as Interim Minister.
• In July 2006 Rev. Bill Neely was called by the congregation.
