The general comments included below are the beginning of a much longer and more detailed narrative that we hope to provide for the users of this site. If you have information or photographs relevant to the history of Iglesia Unida, please let us know so that we can document the history in an interesting and detailed maner.
The Palmers spend a year in Chapel Hill while María Teresa completes her coursework for a doctorate in Education at UNC Chapel Hill and Mike spends his sabatical from Bluefield College as a Research Fellow in the Linguistics Department at UNC. They begin a Bible Study in Spanish at United Church.
The Palmers also participate in the first Fiesta del Pueblo. Maria Teresa organizes the soccer tournament and Mike serves as a referee.
1995-96 The Palmers return to Virginia where Mike resumes his post as Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Bluefield College. They travel once a month to Chapel Hill to continue the Bible Study.
Summer 1996
The UCC contracts María Teresa to develop a Spanish-language congretation in Chapel Hill. Mike resigns his job at Bluefield College, and in July the Palmers move to 303 Forbush Mtn Dr in Chapel Hill to begin Iglesia Unida.
Fall 1996
Iglesia Unida grows and sponsors a preschool called "Rayito de Luz" (Ray of Light) that now has its own location on Smith Level Road and is called "Mi Escuelita" (My Little School).
On Easter Sunday of 2000, Iglesia Unida and united Church of Capel Hill gathered for the first time in the new sanctuary at 1321 Airport Road.
María Teresa Palmer preaches in the National Cathedral on November 21 at 11:00am (in English). Her sermon expresses the Immigrant Theology that has been born out of the experience of Iglesia Unida.
2005
In
March of 2005 David Mateo
becomes the new pastor of Iglesia Unida. In June Angel Schoenberger
begins to serve as Assistant Pastor.
In
October Iglesia Unida presents its first theatrical work ("El mancebo
que se casó con mujer brava" by Alejandro Casona). The
drama serves as a fund raising event for the church.
On December 2
Iglesia hosts over 100 people for a night of tango and an Argentinian
"Asado." This event also serves as a fund raiser for the church.