Legacy Planning for Congregational Endings

February 1, 2024

If your congregation is facing decisions about selling your building, merging with another congregation, or dissolving, we have resources to help guide you.

Your first step is to contact your UUA Congregational Life Staff. They are available to be a thought partner, and help you navigate this tender time of transition.

Connect with Your UUA Regional Staff

Facing a transition, seeing a conflict, or celebrating an achievement? Your UUA primary contacts are here to companion, coach, and consult!

Connect with Your UUA Regional Staff

You can also browse the series of articles below to help you understand the practical steps and the pastoral needs during this time.

Additional Resources:

The Good Friday Collaborative supports churches concluding ministry through merging, closing, relocating, or restarting.
The United Church of Christ’s Living Legacy workbook, a discernment and decision-making resource for “Legacy Congregations,” churches that conclude their ministry and seed new ministries.

In This Section

Is the Life of Your Congregation Coming To an End?

Megan Foley

From LeaderLab

How to begin a courageous conversation with your co-leaders if your congregation seems to be in decline.
Merging With Another Congregation
From LeaderLab

In a merger, the congregation’s identity and assets are combined with another congregation. This requires a vote of both merging congregations.
Legal Considerations When Merging or Dissolving Your Congregation

Megan Foley

From LeaderLab

Because your congregation is a legal entity with assets, there are important steps that must be taken as part of either a merger or a dissolutions. This article will help guide you!
Dissolving a Congregation: Practical Steps

Megan Foley, Lillian Drab-Braddick, Renee Ruchotzke

From LeaderLab

This broad-brush overview lays out the practical and technical steps involved in dissolving a congregation, both as a legal entity and as a member congregation of the UUA.
Dissolving a Congregation: UUA Obligations
From LeaderLab

In a dissolution, the congregation ceases to legally exist, and any remaining assets are transferred to another entity. This requires a vote of the congregation. Bylaws, state laws, and UUA policies guide this process.
Selling Your Building (or Other Property)
From LeaderLab

If your congregation has decided to sell its property, you’ll want to contact an area real estate agent to look into the sale of your property.
Disposal of Church Archives after Dissolution
From LeaderLab

Your congregation’s archives may be of historical interest, such that a larger collection might appreciate them as a donation. Here are some options:
Letting Go of A Beloved Building

Darcey Elizabeth Hegvik Laine

From LeaderLab

What if the space we need to live our mission no longer matches the building we own? Could our building find a new calling? (Webinar)
Planning a Good Goodbye
From LeaderLab

Congregations are human institutions and, like humans, they have a lifespan. Your congregation may discern that it’s time for a good goodbye, rather than to continue on. This is no failure!