First Unitarian Church (Dayton, Ohio)

The First Unitarian Church of Dayton held its inception meeting March of 1910. Through advertisements in local newspapers, all persons of liberal faith interested in the formation of a Unitarian were invited. The meeting was held in the old Y.M.C.A Hall, and conducted by Rev. Ernest C. Smith, Secretary of the Western Unitarian Conference in Chicago, Illinois. On May 21, the Articles of Incorporation were signed by Francis K. Fassett, N.R. Stanley, Frank C. Moody, H.L Orrman, H. Elliot Dodd, Elizabeth D. Elliott, Grace B. Heathman, Sarah Howard Pierce, and Alice Kile Neibel. Two days later the Articles were filed in the Office of the Secretary of the State of Ohio.

Dr. Troward H. Marshall was installed as the first minister of the church in November of 1910. He was successful in building a strong and influential congregation. He was also influential in civic affairs and was interested in social welfare issues. For two years he was also an advocate of the city commissioner system for Dayton. During the crisis of the 1913 flood, the congregation and Marshall were involved with the relief efforts. The American Unitarian Association sent several of thousands of dollars to be distributed.

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