For the past five years, local Unitarians have held worship in an old mortuary.

"It was kind of gloomy," said Judith Weatherbie, administrator for the Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. A good deal though: The old White Mortuary Chapel in Kimberly was theirs on Sundays for just $100 a month until it sold recently and the group had to find another place to gather.

They've found what they hope will be their last temporary home at Step Ahead Learning Center in Twin Falls, which brings many members back to the city it all started.

In 1992, the group was founded by six original members, including Monica Tognetti. At first, the Unitarians met in members' homes, and after being recognized by the national association in 1994, they met at four different Twin Falls locations before moving out to Kimberly. Throughout, Tognetti has attended services, and the Twin Falls woman is looking forward to worshipping in the new facility closer to home.

"This is by far the most beautiful, and I think will be the most useful to us. It's centrally located, and we will have facilities we've never had so much of before," Tognetti said. "Before we were kind of tucked in a corner."

The congregation appreciates the windows in the new facility, and that they will have access to one room in the building at all times for classes, meetings and storage. And the space just feels more welcoming, Weatherbie said.

"It's a children's learning center and it just has that sense of life and light and excitement about it," she said. "It gives me a sense of great new beginnings."

The learning center wasn't the only location the Unitarians considered.

President Jeremy SasserCollins appreciated the many offers from other Twin Falls congregations to share space, but in the end, decided that having a space that was all theirs on Sundays was important.

"We're not conflicting with another fellowship in any way," he said. Like many in the congregation, he is pleased the church will be returning to Twin Falls. "Hopefully we'll get some of our old members back and make it easier for new members to come and join us."

Today, the church has about 40 members, near its all-time high. Some were lost when the fellowship made the move to Kimberly, and the Unitarians hope the transition back to Twin will attract old and new alike.

"I believe it will, absolutely, because it's centrally located and it's a very attractive building, and it's in a place where people can see we'll have a banner out on Sunday," Tognetti said.

The Unitarians have signed a one-year lease with the owner of the learning center, with options to renew for additional years. Weatherbie said the congregation has been collecting for a capital campaign, and may have enough to buy a building of their own or property to build on within five years. Although Tognetti feels the learning center is the Unitarians' best worship location so far, she's looking forward to the permanency that will come in the future.

"It looks like this a good next step. Not a final step; we hope one day to have a real church, but you can't have that right away," she said.

In the meantime, the congregation welcomes the curious to attend services in Twin Falls.

"For people who don't know who we are or what Unitarian Universalism is, we say, you may be a Unitarian Universalist and not know it," Weatherbie said. "There is room for different beliefs; yours will fit."

Ariel Hansen may be reached at ariel.hansen@lee. net or 735-3376.

Worshipping in unity This weekend marks the last Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service at the old White Mortuary Chapel, 712 Center St. W. in Kimberly. The service begins at 10 a.m. Next weekend, join the Unitarians at their new location at the Step Ahead Learning Center, 273 Shoup Ave. W. in Twin Falls. No time has yet been set for this service; call 734-6552 next week for information.