The History of the United Church

A world war, a new town, a second hand chapel, and a new way of being the body of Christ. 

During WWII, a hurriedly- built secret scientific laboratory for the Manhattan Project and accompanying housing for civilians and military personnel consumed an elite private ranch school in remote northern New Mexico. But there was no chapel.

After the war, scientific research continued in Los Alamos. The town was still under federal government ownership so the  new, young population requested of General Leslie R. Groves a chapel to become the cornerstone of their developing community. And their request was granted–thirty-five miles away in Santa Fe, a wartime army hospital was closing. This army chapel was relocated and dedicated in Los Alamos in 1947. 

The Chapel continues to display the unheralded spiritual side of Los Alamos culture. It provided a venue for the "church union" movement of the 20th Century when denominations were exploring that what unites Christians may outweigh what divides. 

In the months leading up to the formation of The United Church, representatives from the National Council of Churches, the New Mexico Council of Churches, and various denominational hierarchies came together for discussions that fueled the fire for the ecumenical venture.

75 Years of Growth and Ministry

As the town grew and transformed from government ownership to private, The United Church also grew in ministry and united witness.

Christian education for all ages has been paramount. The United Church added a split level Christian Education Building along with a Youth Building to the four-acre wooded campus. Worship and fellowship then occupied all parts of the original Chapel building. To better utilize the space and after great deliberation, the congregation decided to flip the interior 180 degrees, putting the front entrance on the south, thus using the original outgrown Sunday school rooms as the foyer. 

Art and music grace the campus, notably the addition of a pipe organ and locally crafted stained glass windows. The entire campus was made wheelchair accessible including an elevator in the three-story Christian Education Building and street-level entry to the Sanctuary.

In 2022, the chapel was designated a Los Alamos Historic Landmark, and is open weekdays from 9am to 3pm.

We remain The United Church of Los Alamos where all are welcome to worship. 

The United Church of Los Alamos has an abundance of beautiful, locally-crafted stained glass windows, most of which were created by members of our congregation.

To learn more about our stained glass windows, we’d love to share with you a copy of the book One Body One Spirit by Helen Lindberg which was published for the church’s 50th anniversary. Contact us if you would be interested in having us send you a copy of the book, or stop by the church office to pick one up.