The Urbana-Champaign Community
The Urbana-Champaign Community
Urbana and Champaign together form a twin-cities community of just over 125,000 people; 72% European American, 12% African American, 9% Asian and 7% Latinx. The cities are geographically segregated, with many in the African-American community living in the northern portions of the two cities, with deep historic roots and powerful churches. Our current lead minister has been actively creating connections with black clergy in the area. There is also a multi-racial Sisters in Faith Leadership clergy group, and a large multiracial Community Coalition addressing economic injustice, trauma, and violence. Our lead minister is active in both these groups. There is a significant immigrant population in the area, especially Guatemalan and Congolese, and a number of immigrant support organizations with ties to UUCUC.
Because this is home to the University of Illinois, a top research university, the population is richly diverse in culture and ethnicity, and tends to be liberal and lively. The university itself attracts world-class performances to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, a continuous flow of lectures and cultural offerings, and a multitude of sporting events of all types.
Champaign is home to the annual Ebertfest, well known by film buffs everywhere. Urbana has the Station Theater, showing plays featuring highly talented local actors, as well as Japan House, with world-class practitioners of Japanese arts and culture. There is also very active live music scene, particularly jazz and roots. Parkland College, located in north Champaign, is a thriving community college known for excellent teaching. It is also the home of the unique Staerkel Planetarium. The two cities have several interesting, small museums, some of which are on campus.
Urbana has a large Saturday farmers’ market which runs from May through the beginning of November. Both cities have good park districts with many programs for children and adults. The immediate neighborhood of the church is historic downtown Urbana and the beautiful West Urbana neighborhood, with cobbled streets, streetlamps, huge shade trees, and diverse houses built between the late 19th century and mid-20th century.
In short, this gem of a community has all the advantages of a city at a much lower cost of living, and without the traffic and waiting lines.
The climate is quite comfortable, with all four seasons, and not many extremes. Urbana was originally called “Big Grove.” Part of the original big grove has been preserved in Busey Woods, one of the Urbana parks. In Allerton Park and Meadowbrook Park you can see restored tall grass prairie. Although the immediate area is rich farmland, there are places for hiking and biking an easy drive away.
Urbana and Champaign are relatively equidistant from Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis, which make for fun day-trips or weekend excursions.