The Universalist Church of Oneonta was formed during a period of rapid growth in the city following the arrival of the railroad. In December 1877, the congregation was incorporated. Services were held at various locations in the city center until the first church building was completed in 1879 at 12 Ford Avenue. The wood building was named after Dr. Edward Hubbell Chapin, minister of the Divine Paternity and the Fourth Universalist Society in New York City and one of the most prominent Universalists of his generation. Dr. Chapin delivered what proved to be his last dedicatory sermon as he died shortly afterward.

By the early 1890s, the affluence of its members and the substantial growth of the congregation led to plans to construct a new church. The new building was designed by local architect Lyman H. Blend. Like its predecessor, the new building was named in honor of Chapin at its April 1894 dedication. The church prospered through the 1920s, but during the Great Depression membership, declined until the six-year tenure of Rev. Charles Wyman.

On November 1, 1941, lightning struck the steeple of the building. The damage was not severe, but much of the church' historic records were lost. The steeple was never rebuilt.

In 1961, the church became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Throughout the late 20th century, the now Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta became a strong voice for liberal religion and social concerns. In 2002, Chapin Memorial was added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

In 2001 the congregation bought the property at 16 Ford Avenue for administration and religious education. In 2003, the new building was named the Olympia Brown House, in honor of the 19th century Universalist minister who was the first woman ordained by a major denomination.