In Memory of Christopher “Chris” G. Raible (1955-2026)
We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Christopher “Chris” G. Raible, who died on February 10, 2026, at the age of 92.
Chris was born on July 1, 1933, into a family deeply rooted in Unitarian Universalism. His father, Robert Jules Raible, and his brother, Peter Spilman Raible, were both Unitarian Universalist ministers. His connection to the Unitarian Universalism faith was personal and enduring. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manchester, England, in 1954. That same year, Chris met Pat through a Unitarian group in Manchester, and they married a few months later. In 1957, he graduated from Starr King School for the Ministry with his Bachelor of Divinity.
The Rev. Raible was ordained to the UU ministry on October 29, 1957. He served his first ministry at the UU Congregation of Jamestown, New York (1957–1962). He then served the UU Church West in Brookfield, Wisconsin (1962–1970). From 1970 to 1975, he served the UUA as Director of Communication (1970–1971) and Director of Extension Ministry (1972-1975). In 1976, the Rev. Raible returned to parish ministry at the First Unitarian Church (Second Parish), Worcester, Massachusetts, where he served until 1982. Subsequently, he was a settled minister for the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto, Ontario (1982–1986). In 2008, the UU Congregation of Jamestown honored him as their minister emeritus.
The Rev. Raible was equally active in the denominational leadership. He chaired the UUA General Assembly Planning Committee, initiated the Minister-on-Loan program, was first publisher of the UU World, and created the Sharing in Growth program. He was the last president of the Universalist Historical Society and helped establish the UU Historical Society. He also served on the UUMA board, chaired the UUA Commission on Common Worship, and served as scribe for the Greenfield Group. Furthermore, he was centrally involved in the successful election campaign of three UUA presidents. Throughout his ministerial career, he taught special courses at all three UU theological schools, preached or presented programs at more than three hundred UU congregations, and was a speaker or workshop leader at many regional conferences.
A prolific writer and editor, the Rev. Raible authored or edited numerous UUA articles and materials. He is best remembered for his parody, Hymns for the Cerebration of Strife, including Coffee, Coffee, Coffee,” sung to the tune of “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
In addition to his ministry and denominational work, he spearheaded civic projects in several communities in the United States and Canada. In Jamestown, he helped found a mental health association, was vice president of the council of social agencies, and taught philosophy and comparative religion at Jamestown Community College. In Brookfield, he helped found and establish an ecumenical council on religion and race and participated in civil rights demonstrations in Milwaukee and in Selma, Alabama. As a UU official in Boston, he testified before a legislative committee on abortion rights and a U.S. Senate Committee on personal privacy in banking. In Worcester, he helped establish a Planned Parenthood clinic with abortion services and was honored by the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He was also a director of the Worcester Public Library and chaired the Massachusetts State Committee responsible for federally funded library services.
In 1986, Chris left his active ministry and pursued a career as a Canadian historian, authoring several books and countless articles. His primary areas of interest focused on the controversial journalist/politician, William Lyon Mackenzie; the history of Upper Canada; and the handcrafted boxes of the 1837 rebellion prisoners. He was elected secretary of the Ontario Historical Society, and with his wife, for many years edited the book page of the OHS Bulletin. He was president of the Town of York Historical Society, historical advisor to the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum in Queenston, Ontario, a member of the York Pioneer and Historical Society, and of the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History. In Toronto, he served on the Planned Parenthood Board, was active in an ecumenical group seeking reform in welfare services and helped create an interfaith television channel serving all of Canada.
Chris is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia Woolven Raible; his three children, John Raible, David Raible, and Ann Raible Beasley; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a growing number of great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may go to Planned Parenthood and/or the American Civil Liberties Union.
Notes of condolence may be emailed to Ann