The History of The Universal Life Church

The History of The Universal Life Church

There are many 100's, perhaps 1000's of Universal Life Churches throughout the world. The two largest being in Florida and in California. There is a renegade ULC located in Seattle, WA. referred to by many as "The Monastery" its real name is the Universal Life Church Monastery Storehouse, Inc., which started up in late 2006 after the leader thereof George Martin Freeman or Brother Martin as he calls himself was terminated by the real Universal Life Church Monastery, Inc. of Tucson, Arizona. This entity in Seattle is not a Church, but a storehouse of Ministry Supplies. It is not recognized as a Church by the ULC in Florida or in California. The ULC Monastery, Inc. does not validate ordinations from this Monastery based in Seattle, nor does the Court in Washington State. This can be verified by reading this article and through the Court Clerk of the Superior Court of Kings County, located in Seattle, WA. This Monastery Storehouse in Seattle fails to include their real name on ordination certificates, whereas County Clerks or Wedding Authorities could be easily led to believe they are from another ULC.

Please click here for details on a Washington State Court Order Injunction.

The word Universal with respect to Churches comes from the Greek Language, its origin can be traced to the second century and it was the name of the original Roman Church. The word universal itself from a Religious standpoint means catholic with a small c (catholic with a small c means Christian). The US Patent and Trademark Office and even many dictionaries, unofficially cite the Roman Catholic Church as the proprietary owner of the word Universal. Wherefore no Church will ever be able to copyright or trademark the Universal Life Church name. However it has always been considered to be that of Christian origin.

There is some confusion regarding the name stemming from the founding of "Life Church" in 1959 by Kirby Hensley. Hensley in 1962 incorporated in California and he added the name Universal to Life Church, because of a political party affiliation, Kirby had with his partner Gabriel Green and the Universal Party (flying saucer party). Hensley and Green were a bit unorthodox in their beliefs, Hensley even ran for President in 1964 and 1968, on a platform that included establishing ambassadorships for aliens from outer space. Hensley was a villified individual managing only 83 votes in two separate presidential elections. Hensley's claim to fame was not so much being the founder of "Life Church" as it was Hensley opted to ordain anyone and everyone as a minister. Through the years they've even ordained a dog or cat or two. Hensley was a twice defrocked Christian Minister from both the Southern Baptist and the Pentecostal Faith. As a result his "Life Church" was anything but a Christian Church. They even ordain followers of satan and atheists.

Of the many Universal Life Churches that do exist most are Christian or what is referred to as Faith Based, they adhere to the Christian Doctrine. Life Church or the ULC in Modesto is a non-faith based Church with no real doctrine to speak of. Many traditionalists do not even recognize them as a legitimate Church. Their ordinations nonetheless are legal and binding, providing their ministers the right to serve as wedding officiants.

The difference between faith based and non-faith based (interfaith) ordination is that faith based ministers are recognized as ministers within the doctrine of their Church, while non-faith based (interfaith) ministers are limited to serving primarily as wedding officiants. Ministers ordained within their faith are recognized throughout the world, while non-faith based (interfaith) ministers are primarily limited to their country of residence.

 In Summary 

The Universal Life Church World Headquarters is a faith based organization located in Florida that adheres to the Christian Doctrine and who ordains men or women as non-denominational or as independent Catholic ministers.

Life Church founded by Kirby Hensley in 1959, who incorporated as Universal Life Church in 1962 and who refers to themselves as Universal Life Church International Headquarters is a non-faith based (interfaith) organization located in California, without a real Doctrine of Faith and who ordains men or women as non-faith based (interfaith) ministers.

We are all Brothers & Sisters, regardless of our choice of faith or belief.

 

 

The Only Official Certified & Verified Ordinations
or Degree's Website With the Trust-Guard Seal

 

Universal Life Church
Tel No: (850)926-6085

Official Universal Life Church Website - http://www.ulcnetwork.com
THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE EXTENDS TO THE CORNERS OF THE GLOBE
        
©2011 Universal Life Church and Christian Academy, USA