Two Historic Unitarian Churches in Boston: A Travel Guide

Boston was founded in the name of "religious freedom," so it is not surprising to that the city has a very interesting history in regards to religion and its churches. Some of that history can be experienced today by the casual traveler.

First Church of Boston

One of the very first things the founding puritans of Boston, England did when they arrived in 1630 on the shores of what would become Boston, Massachusetts was to gather a church, the First Church. By the 19^th Century, however, Boston had changed dramatically, and like many of its counterparts, the First Church relocated to the new Back Bay area of Boston. And there, they constructed a lovely, if traditional, English inspired Gothic-Revival church. That church largely burned to the ground, however, in 1968. Left without adequate funds to rebuild, the First Church built a new church on the charred site. Designed by Paul Rudolph, the new First Church was a bit of a departure, to say the least. Built behind the "screen" of the old Victorian east wall and corner tower, the new church is thoroughly "modern," sculptural in shape and clad in textured concrete. Note the pleasant dialogue the modern tower has with its Victorian counterpart. There's no jealousy whatsoever. Inside, natural light is allowed to dance off the ever so slightly undulating concrete walls. And unlike many churches, acoustically, the First Church of Boston is a delight. It's a wonderful place to hear music.

The First Church of Boston is located at Marlborough Street, at the corner of Berkley Street in Boston's Back Bay, two blocks from the Public Garden. The church is not open to the public for touring. However, it does present a regular concert series which is open to the public.

King's Chapel