The Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst can trace its roots to the circuit riding ministry of Rev. Stephen R. Smith who is credited with spreading the message of the fledgling religion of Universalism throughout central and western New York during the early 1800s. Rev. Smith gave his first sermon on Universalism in Williamsville in 1816.  A Universalist congregation was formed in1823 and lasted about 5 years.