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

With Age Comes Wisdom?

How do we learn – or not – to be resilient over time? We will explore this topic with reflections by members of their lived experience. 

Join our Livestream!

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

Forum: Greater Des Moines Civil Rights Tour

Did you know that the Supreme Court of Iowa in 1868 ruled that public school segregation was unconstitutional, 86 years before Brown versus Board of Education? Come learn more about this and the many sites (18 in all) that comprise Catch DM Greater Des Moines Civil Rights Tour. Russ Lovell, primary researcher and writer of the website (and good friend of First Unitarian) will take you on the visual tour, highlighting and expanding on a few sites with particularly interesting and often surprising histories that occurred right here in Des Moines and Iowa. Of course, the Edna Griffin Building and Bridge will be noted! There will be time for questions and comments.
Upcoming Services Previous Services

Church Calendar

  • Blood Drive Set-Up/Clean-Up

    February 13, 2026  12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    Griffin

    See more details

  • Bill Paxson's Bleeding Heart Birthday Blood Drive

    February 13, 2026  1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Griffin

    Instead of a 65th birthday party, Bill Paxson is hosting a blood drive at church!

    You are invited to come celebrate and save 3 lives in the process! Please sign up for an appointment slot soon to reserve your spot!

    Happy Birthday Bill!

    See more details

  • Board Game Night

    February 13, 2026  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Griffin Hall

                                                                                                                           
    Contact: Gianfranco Berardi, gamenight@ucdsm.org

    Meets: Second Fridays; 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. CT; Griffin Hall

    Welcome: All

    Please join fellow UU friends for a fun night of board games in Griffin Hall. Bring your favorite game as well as any beverages or snacks you might want to share.

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  • Palentine's Event (Parent's Night Out)

    February 14, 2026  4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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  • Childcare

    February 15, 2026  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

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.