Accommodations
The House
UUFC is pleased to make available the UU Denominational House at 6 Bliss Avenue, (mailing address: P.O. Box 622) located behind the Colonnade. The house serves as a gathering space for members and friends, as well as affordable housing for singles, couples, or families who would like to live in community with folks from around the country of all ages and interests.
- There are 7 Bedrooms, one for the hosts, and 6 available to rent.
- Of the 6 rooms available to rent, one is handicapped accessible with an attached bath. The host and guests in the other 5 bedrooms share 3.5 bathrooms.
- The handicapped accessible room has 2 twin beds.
- One room has a king sized bed.
- One room has two twin beds and a trundle.
- The other rooms have two twin beds.
- Shared spaces include a limited use kitchen, living room, dining room, and secluded patio.
- Free Wifi is available.
Policies
- Rooms rent for $550 per week. (Click here for information about scholarships available to families and area teachers)
- Linens may be rented for an additional fee. (See application. Link below.)
- Rooms rent from Saturday-Saturday.
- Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time is 10:00 a.m.
- Applications for the next season become available after July 1. (For example, apply in 2025 to rent a room in 2026).
- Unitarian Universalists shall have first priority.
- All applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If the House fills up for 2026, a waiting list will be created. You are encouraged to send an application at any time, as people's plans often change.
Application
The UUDH is intended to serve those who might otherwise not be able to afford the Chautauqua experience. Please take this prerequisite into consideration before submitting an application.
- Email Alison Wohler at [email protected] to check availability and to ask questions.
- Click here to download the 2026 application. Print it, fill it out, and follow the directions on the application for mailing.
Other Accomodations at Chautauqua
- The UUFC owns 3 time share condos at NorthShore: one in week 3 (B2), one in week 8 (A3) and one in week 9 (C2).
All are fully equipped including linens and have a dedicated parking space. All sleep 6 or 8 if the sofa bed is used. Two pools are available. Located inside the northern grounds of the Chautauqua Institution, NorthShore is a 15-minute walk or a short bike or tram-ride (0.7 mile) from the UU House. Rent is $2400 for the week and on-site parking is available. As of February 2025, all three condo units are available to rent for the 2026 season. Please complete this application if interested. - Click here for additional places to stay.
History of the UU Denominational House
As the membership of the Fellowship grew during the early 2000’s, the desire to have a Denominational House on the grounds where we could gather together started to take on new urgency. The board began to undertake a search for an appropriate building in 2007. After consideration of several properties the Levinson’s home at 6 Bliss was selected.
Under the leadership of our president, Bob Hopper, fundraising for the UU Denominational House started in October 2007. With the support of several lead givers and over 200 other contributors, we raised almost a million dollars in cash and pledges by the end of 2008. We purchased the house on July 25, 2008 without a mortgage and were also able to undertake renovations that increased the number of bedrooms in the house from 4 to 7. The Universalist Convention of NY granted a loan to ensure the house is handicapped accessible.
Once the renovations were complete the fun began. Many members of the Fellowship donated wonderful items to help furnish the house and garden. The Peace Pole in the front was donated by Joan Smith and the one in the garden is dedicated to Hugh Hawthorne by his family. Various rooms are named for major donors:
In addition, artwork, furniture, books, and a piano were graciously given by members and friends.
On July 14, 2009 a large group gathered to celebrate the dedication of the house with the support of Chautauqua Institution President Tom Becker and Religion Department Chair Joan Brown Campbell.
Under the leadership of our president, Bob Hopper, fundraising for the UU Denominational House started in October 2007. With the support of several lead givers and over 200 other contributors, we raised almost a million dollars in cash and pledges by the end of 2008. We purchased the house on July 25, 2008 without a mortgage and were also able to undertake renovations that increased the number of bedrooms in the house from 4 to 7. The Universalist Convention of NY granted a loan to ensure the house is handicapped accessible.
Once the renovations were complete the fun began. Many members of the Fellowship donated wonderful items to help furnish the house and garden. The Peace Pole in the front was donated by Joan Smith and the one in the garden is dedicated to Hugh Hawthorne by his family. Various rooms are named for major donors:
- Nancy and Dick Bechtolt $100,000: The UUDH Meeting Room
- Bob & Joyce Tate and The Peterson Family Foundation $100,000: The Patio & Garden
- Bruce and Beverly Connor $50,000: The Jane Addams Bedroom
- Charles and Carolyn Brock $50,000: The Joseph Priestly Bedroom
In addition, artwork, furniture, books, and a piano were graciously given by members and friends.
On July 14, 2009 a large group gathered to celebrate the dedication of the house with the support of Chautauqua Institution President Tom Becker and Religion Department Chair Joan Brown Campbell.
We have now experienced many successful seasons of room rentals, and have hosted weekly UU teas, discussion groups, and the ministerial “talkbacks.”
The House is supported through weekly rental income and donations. The Board of Trustees has created a replacement reserve fund sufficient to maintain the property over the long term. To support the continued success of the House, you may send a check made out to UUFC, Inc. with UUDH in the memo line, to PO Box 622, Chautauqua, NY 14722.
Thank you to all who have supported this incredibly successful effort to obtain and renovate our UU Denominational House!
The House is supported through weekly rental income and donations. The Board of Trustees has created a replacement reserve fund sufficient to maintain the property over the long term. To support the continued success of the House, you may send a check made out to UUFC, Inc. with UUDH in the memo line, to PO Box 622, Chautauqua, NY 14722.
Thank you to all who have supported this incredibly successful effort to obtain and renovate our UU Denominational House!
