Photo of solar panels atop Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim by Gary Sjogren.

Solar panels might be an increasingly familiar symbol of the 21st century, but at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim the inspiration to install them dates back to the 19th century.

“Our connection to, and our appreciation for our environment goes way back,” said minister Lee Marie Sanchez. “Henry David Thoreau was a Unitarian. Darwin was a Unitarian. Emerson was a Unitarian. Environmental issues have been long and deep in our spiritual movement.”

So Sanchez and her flock pooled their money to install a 5.6 kilowatt solar array — the first church in Anaheim, they say, to make the leap to solar power.

About 40 people contributed most of the more than $30,000 for the installation, she said, which the congregation recently celebrated.

They also relied on a rebate for solar installation from Anaheim Public Utilities, said Gaye Tomlinson of Vaha Solar, which installed the system.

The church gained attention in the local environmental community for its action, earning an award from the Sierra Club and a commendation from state Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana.

“Environmental issues are not only spiritual,” Sanchez said. “But we want to be participants in the world. It was a unanimous vote by our congregation.”

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