Arthur Powell Davies

Arthur Powell Davies was a British-born minister and theologian who became a significant figure in American Unitarianism. Born in England in 1902, he initially pursued a career in the Methodist ministry before transitioning to Unitarianism in 1933. He served as the minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C. from 1944 until his death in 1957, leading the congregation to national prominence.

Davies was a prolific writer and a vocal advocate for civil rights, women's rights, and ethical opposition to nuclear proliferation and McCarthyism. He was known for his principled activism and his influential role in liberal political circles. His theological views emphasized a non-dogmatic, humanistic approach to faith, focusing on individual conscience and ethical action. He received honorary doctorates from Meadville Lombard Theological School and Howard University. Davies passed away in 1957 due to complications from thrombophlebitis.

Born in England in 1902 to Welsh parents, Arthur Powell Davies was raised in the Methodist tradition. After a brief stint as a clerk and secretary to a Labour MP, he studied at Richmond Theological College and entered the Methodist ministry. He married Muriel Hannah in 1927. Davies served in Methodist churches in England before moving to the United States, where he led congregations in Maine. During his time in Portland, Maine, he investigated business ethics and was exposed to Unitarian thought by Vincent Silliman, leading him to embrace Unitarianism in 1933.

Upon becoming a Unitarian, Davies affiliated with the American Unitarian Association and became minister of the Community Church of Summit, New Jersey, which he renamed the Unitarian Church in Summit. He became a proponent of Unitarian activism in global affairs, particularly after shifting from appeasement to interventionism regarding Germany. His first book, 'American Destiny' (1942), articulated his belief in individual freedom as a unifying global force. He became increasingly involved in denominational activities, befriending figures like John Haynes Holmes and Margaret Sanger.

In 1944, Davies was appointed minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, the church gained national recognition for its strong ethical stances. He supported the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, opposed the tactics of the House Un-American Activities Committee, and championed racial integration. Davies was instrumental in organizing Unitarian churches in the Washington D.C. area, founding the Greater Washington Association of Unitarian Universalist Churches. His influential friendships with figures like Justice Hugo Black placed his ideas within liberal political discourse.

Davies' theology moved away from traditional supernaturalism, emphasizing God as immanent in human experience and conscience. He viewed religious creeds as obsolete and championed liberalism as a reliance on independent thought rather than dogma. His writings and sermons often focused on the need for individuals to strive towards their best selves, renew their courage, and sharpen their consciences through active engagement with the world and love for others. He received honorary doctorates from Meadville Lombard Theological School and Howard University. His papers are preserved at Harvard Divinity School and Meadville Lombard Theological School.

“The religions of the creeds are obsolescent...the basis of their claims expired with yesterday.”

“It (liberalism) causes us to put our trust in the free exertions of our own minds instead of in the dogmas of the long established churches.”

“This ancient God of miracles and interventions... is really dead. There is no longer any kindness in letting anyone cling to such a fantasy. For if that is where we put our faith, our dependence, or reliance, we shall be wiped off the face of the earth.”

“There is no God in the sky. God is in the heart that loves the sky's blueness. There is no army of angels, no hosts of seraphim and no celestial hierarchy. All this is man's imaginings.”

“Let me tell you why I come to church. I come to church—and would whether I was a preacher or not—because I fall below my own standards and need to be constantly brought back to them. I am afraid of becoming selfish and indulgent, and my church—my church of the free spirit—brings me back to what I want to be. I could easily despair: doubt and dismay could overwhelm me. My church renews my courage and my hope. It is not enough that I should think about the world and its problems at the level of a newspaper report or magazine discussion. It could too soon become too low a level. I must have my conscience sharpened—sharpened until it goads me to the most thorough and responsible thinking of which I am capable. I must feel again the love I owe to others. I must not only hear about it but feel it. In church, I do. I am brought toward my best, in every way toward my best.”