The Reverend Dr. Farley Wheelwright, legendary social activist, colorful and passionate debater at UUA General Assemblies, and dedicated parish minister, died on 27 February 2016, aged 99.
Mr. Wheelwright fought devotedly against racial injustice, repeatedly traveling to Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia in the 1960s, registering voters, becoming more politically radical, and being incarcerated more than once. For all his notoriety as a social activist, however, Farley treasured his career as a pastoral minister above all else. “When I think of an afternoon spent supporting a grieving mother because of the crib death of her two-month old baby, my
participation in the social activist movement seems almost inconsequential,” he said. “It is the most exalted job I can possibly conceive of for myself and my talents.”
Farley Wilder Wheelwright was born on 5 December 1916 to a four-generation Unitarian family. He earned a B.A. from St. Lawrence University in 1957, an M.Div. from Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1961, and a D.Min. from Andover-Newton in 1977.
Mr. Wheelwright was ordained to the ministry in 1961 by the North Greenwich (Conn.) Congregational Church. He was called to the UU Church of Central Nassau (NY) in 1962 and went on to serve at the Unitarian Society of Cleveland, Ohio (1968-72), the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, Mass (1974-80), and the UU Society of Sepulveda (Los Angeles), 1981-85, being named Minister Emeritus at Sepulveda upon his retirement, after which he served interim ministries in Australia, Boston, and Attleboro.
In Cleveland, the Rev. Mr. Wheelwright founded the Clergy Counseling Center on Abortion, supported by local UU and other liberal clergy, each voluntarily putting themselves in jeopardy of arrest. Hundreds of young and middle-aged women were sent as far away as London for safe abortions. The group made national news when Farley’s photo in clerical robes made banner headlines reading, “He leads young girls to abortion.”
Farley and his wife Virginia moved to San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) in 1993. Both were active in the Mexican community and in the local UU Fellowship of expats. Farley (along with Virginia, posthumously) was given UURMaPA’s “Creative Sage-ing” award in 2014.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Escuela de Educacion Especial and/or to Jovenes Adelante. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Delia Moon, at 303 Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.