Hello!

Welcome to the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines! We’re glad you’ve found us and hope you find a church home with us.

At First Unitarian, we’re brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We’re people of many beliefs and backgrounds – people with a religious background and people with none; people who believe in a God and people who don’t, and people who simply let the mystery be. And while we represent a diversity of faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, we agree that we want to do good work in the world.

So we welcome you – your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Let us support you on your faith journey.

Learn More

Upcoming Service

You Should Be Grateful

Found family can show up in some pretty unique ways. Finding your people not only helps you feel belonging, it can also lead you to sincere gratitude.

Join our Livestream!

Click here for the Order of Service (updates every Friday afternoon)

No Forum this Week – Happy Thanksgiving

Choosing Hope

If the future is unknowable, why choose hope?  What value does a hopeful outlook bring to our lives?  Join us for a celebration of possibility.

Join our Livestream!

Click here for the Order of Service (updates every Friday afternoon)

Forum: Iowa’s First Mini-Forest

Iowa’s first mini forest was planted in May 2024 with a lot of support from First Unitarian. What happened and how is the forest doing?

Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Childcare

    November 30, 2025  9:15 am - 12:15 pm
    Tracy's Office

    Childcare is always available during Sunday services for children aged 0-4 years-old in room 112.

    See more details

  • Sunday Service (Hybrid)

    November 30, 2025  9:30 am - 10:45 am
    Auditorium

    Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/@firstucdsm/streams

    You Should Be Grateful with the Celebrant Team
    Found family can show up in some pretty unique ways. Finding your people not only helps you feel belonging, it can also lead you to sincere gratitude.

    See more details

  • NAC Service - Rental

    November 30, 2025  1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
    Auditorium, Griffin Hall, Kitchen, Childcare Room

    See more details

View Calendar

I’m New Here

Ready to explore Unitarian Universalism and our church? We’re ready for you!

  1. Start by joining us for our Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. CT in-person or via livestream. You can also click here for directions to our building!
  2. In the front lobby of our church, you’ll be welcomed by a Congregational Life Team member, who will direct you to visitor information and UU information.
  3. Join us after the service for coffee hour! Enjoy a generous spread of delicious food and take the opportunity to connect, mingle, and meet new people in a welcoming atmosphere.
  4. Check out our Affinity Groups for adults. We also have programs for children, youth, and adults.
  5. And finally, explore our website! There’s a lot to see and we encourage you to reach out to the contact people listed throughout the site if you have questions or want to get involved.