UNIVERSAL FAITHISTS OF KOSMON, INC. (CHURCH) HISTORY

According to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service document dated Feb 24, 1978, it stated, in part, “We have determined you [the Universal Faithists of Kosmon, Inc., EIN #23-716-1128] are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”

The UFK was incorporated in Utah on November 4, 1977, under File Number CO074821. The original articles of incorporation stated, “The name of this organization shall be: UNIVERSAL FAITHISTS OF KOSMON… This Church shall have members.” Article VIII provided that, upon dissolution, assets would be transferred to another like organization (Faithist). Our founding presidents were Will Crosby and Hans Berhold (see below).

A Short Listing of UFK’s Presidents

Eight Faithists have been the president of the Universal Faithists of Kosmon. They are listed in chronological order:

1. Will Crosby (Founder, circa 1952)

2. Sam Johnson (Circa 1954: UFK/California incorporated on June 6, 1959)

3. Henry Lahann (Circa, 1960s)

4. Hans Berhold (of Salt Lake City, Utah: Incorporated UFK in Utah in 1977)

5. Erma Jene-Lee (Salt Lake City, Utah, circa 1980s)

6. Toni Vastinar (of New York City, circa 2005)

7. Rabbah Peter Hartgens, MSW (Interim president, Pasadena, California, 2013)

8. Rapon (Rev.) Dr. Glenn P. Kendall (2014, originally from NYC, now in Cincinnati, Ohio)

BRIEF RELIGIOUS HISTORY

As a religious group, Faithists trace their faith to Zarathustra, who lived approximately 9,000 years ago. Some may classify Faithism as a minority or a new religion. However, the president of the Universal Faithists of Kosmon prefers to see Faithism as a renewed faith or a restored belief system for a new era. Moreover, we have kept the following core theme alive over the millennia: to serve and honor none but the Great Spirit, our Creator, known by different names depending on one’s language, ethnicity, culture, and history. For example, in the Philippines, the Creator is called Bathala; to the Lakota People, the Creator is Wakan Tanka; and in the West, He/She is known as Jehovih. UFK and many Faithists maintain connections with others worldwide who believe in, honor, and worship The Great Spirit.