Unitarian Church of Evanston Installs Solar Panels as Part of Sustainability Commitment

The Unitarian Church of Evanston has taken a significant step toward sustainability by installing solar panels, marking a milestone in its long-term commitment to environmental stewardship. As part of a broader movement within the city’s faith communities, the congregation has been actively engaged in practices such as recycling, composting, and planting native vegetation. Evanston is home to the first green house of worship in the United States, the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation’s synagogue, constructed in 2008. The Unitarian Church now joins this legacy with its recent solar initiative, reflecting a growing emphasis on ecological responsibility among religious institutions.

The church’s leadership, under the guidance of Reverend Eileen Wiviott and Reverend Susan Frances, has been preparing for this transition for years. With a membership of approximately 400, the congregation began tracking its energy and water usage as early as 2006, setting the foundation for sustainability goals. The strategic direction became more defined in 2018 with the launch of Evanston’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan, which encouraged the church to align its long-term objectives with the city’s environmental initiatives.

Securing approval from the executive board and Reverend Wiviott, who assumed leadership in 2017, was a crucial step. While the congregation had long supported solar energy, the challenge of structuring funding and addressing structural limitations required careful planning. Reverend Wiviott, who oversees the church’s fiscal management, emphasized the financial benefits of solar power, noting the high ComEd bills associated with the building. She also viewed solar energy as a means of embodying the congregation’s values, stating that it was “a way of living our values and being good stewards of the earth.”

The congregation’s alignment on solar energy was bolstered by the support of a long-time member, Barbara Young, who was deeply committed to social and environmental justice. After learning about the church’s interest in solar panels, she included funding for the project in her bequest, which was finalized in late 2023. This contribution played a pivotal role in making the initiative financially viable.

By 2024, all necessary preparations were complete, and the congregation selected Chicago-based Verde Solutions as its vendor after a thorough evaluation of several options. Adam Gough, the church’s facilities and technology coordinator, noted that while all vendors were impressive, the congregation felt confident in Verde’s expertise and reliability. This decision underscores the congregation’s dedication to both environmental responsibility and prudent resource management.

The Unitarian Church of Evanston’s solar initiative aligns with the broader mission of many Unitarian Universalist congregations to address pressing social and environmental issues. As the church continues to prioritize sustainability, its actions reflect a commitment to stewardship and justice, echoing the biblical call to care for creation and act with integrity. Proverbs 18:17 reminds us that justice is the foundation of all things, and the church’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact serve as a testament to this principle.

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