The Unitarian Society of Menomonie has been a presence in the Menomonie area since the 1880s, when Andrew and Bertha Tainter invited the Rev. Henry Doty Maxson to the community to launch a Unitarian congregation. Rev. Maxson was instrumental in helping shape the Tainter’s vision of a community center and “permanent church home for the Unitarian Society of Menomonie” in the historic Mabel Tainter Theater. James Huff Stout, the founder of the educational institution which would become the University of Wisconsin-Stout, was also an early member.

Our current Unitarian Society of Menomonie, while smaller than the church of the Tainters’ and Maxson’s day, carries on the tradition of liberal religion in our community. Our social action in the community is no less extensive than in Maxson’s day, and forms a key part of our foundation as a community religious group.