First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
First Unitarian Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Philadelphia Show map of Philadelphia Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	2125 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Built	1886
Architect	Frank Furness
Architectural style	Gothic
NRHP reference No.	71000724
Added to NRHP	May 27, 1971

The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia is a Unitarian Universalist church located at 2125 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's more than just a church; it's also a busy community center. People gather here for cultural events, educational programs, and even fitness classes.

This church has a long history. On June 12, 1796, twenty important thinkers in Philadelphia decided to create the First Unitarian Society. This made it the first church in the United States to call itself "Unitarian" and stay open continuously. A Unitarian minister named Joseph Priestley helped guide the founders. The church's first official minister was Rev. Dr. William Henry Furness.

Meet William Henry Furness: An Abolitionist Leader

The church was led by its members until 1825. That's when Rev. Dr. William Henry Furness became the first minister at just 22 years old. Starting in the 1830s, Furness became one of the few abolitionist ministers in Philadelphia. Abolitionists were people who worked to end slavery.

Furness was known for his strong sermons against slavery. He also helped with the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. His speeches were so powerful that some church members worried about attacks from people who supported slavery. So, they quietly brought weapons to church to protect him during Sunday services. Furness even faced discussions in President Buchanan's cabinet about being charged with treason for speaking out against the Fugitive Slave Law. This law required people to return escaped enslaved people to their owners. Furness served as minister for 50 years and stayed involved with the church until he passed away in 1898.

The Church's Buildings: A Look at Its Architecture

The First Unitarian Church has had several homes over the years. Each building showed the style of its time.

First Church Building (1813–1828)

The first church building was called the Octagon Building. It was finished in 1813 and was located at 10th & Locust streets. Robert Mills, one of the first American-born architects, designed it. Its eight-sided shape was unusual for Philadelphia. However, it was similar to other Unitarian churches in England. These churches often used an octagon shape to show they were different from traditional Christian churches, which usually had cross-shaped floor plans. This first building cost about $25,000 and could seat 300 people.

Second Church Building (1828–1885)

The second building of the First Unitarian Church.

As the church grew, members wanted a bigger and fancier building. So, they decided to build a second church in the same spot (10th & Locust). The first stone for this "Doric Building" was laid in 1828. Greek Revival architecture was very popular back then. William Strickland designed this building. People at the time said it was one of the most amazing churches in the city. It opened in 1828 and was the church's home until they moved to the current location on Chestnut Street in 1885.

Third Church Building (1885–Present)

The third building in 1886. Notice the tall tower.

A similar view in 2010.

Frank Furness, a famous architect who designed the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, designed the current church building. He was also the son of the church's first minister, William Henry Furness. Construction started in 1883, and the church opened in 1885. It was fully finished in 1886. A tall, pyramid-shaped tower at the church's corner was removed in the early 1900s.

Inside, the main worship area has a special ceiling called a hammer-beam ceiling. It's painted a reddish-brown color and has gold daffodil patterns. The walls are blue. The church also has beautiful stained glass windows made by famous artists like Louis Tiffany & Co. and John La Farge. Later, a large pipe organ was added, which is great for concerts. Besides the main worship area, the building has Griffin Hall in the basement, which has a stage and a big kitchen. There's also a Parish Room for meetings and a smaller chapel. The upper floors have offices, meeting rooms, and daycare facilities.

Famous People Who Were Members

The First Unitarian Church has been home to many interesting people:

• Frances Ellen Watkins Harper: She was the first African American woman to have her writings published in the United States. She was a member from 1870 until her death in 1911. She wrote stories and poems, but she was also an activist. She worked for civil rights, women's rights, and against alcohol use.
• Laura Matilda Towne: She was one of the first women from the North to go South to help formerly enslaved people. Towne opened the Penn School, the first school for freed people, during the Civil War. She lived on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, and ran the school until she passed away in 1901.
• Kevin Bacon: The famous actor grew up attending the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. He even had his very first acting role in a holiday play there!

Important Moments in History

The First Unitarian Church has been part of many significant events:

• John Brown's Vigil: After John Brown, an abolitionist, was executed in 1859, his body came to Philadelphia. William Henry Furness attended a private vigil for him. Furness was a strong supporter of John Brown and helped his wife. He also gave a powerful speech at a "Martyr Day" event in Philadelphia. His strong opposition to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law even led to discussions in President Buchanan's cabinet about charging Furness with treason.
• Martin Luther King Jr.'s Inspiration: When Martin Luther King Jr. was a student in nearby Chester, Pennsylvania, he heard a lecture that changed his life. Dr. Mordecai Johnson spoke about how Mahatma Gandhi used Henry David Thoreau's ideas of non-violent protest. This lecture, which inspired King's non-violent fight for civil rights, happened at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia on November 19, 1950. King was so moved that he followed Dr. Johnson to continue their discussion late into the night.
• A Welcoming Congregation: In April 2006, the church officially became a "Welcoming Congregation." This means they openly welcome and support the bisexual, transgender, lesbian, and gay community. In 2007, Nathan C. Walker became their first openly gay minister.
• Black Lives Matter Support: In February 2016, the church strongly supported the Black Lives Matter movement. They voted to declare that "black lives matter" and promised to work against racism. They also put up a banner on the church porch facing Chestnut Street to show their support.

Ministers Who Led the Church

Many ministers have guided the First Unitarian Church over the years. Here are some of them:

A Hub for Culture and Community

The First Unitarian Church is a busy community center. It offers space for many different groups and activities. You can find yoga and aerobics classes, meditation groups, and forums by groups like the Americans for Democratic Action. It also hosts the Black Women's Art Festival, Islamic Relief events, and performances for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

The church has a high-quality Casavant pipe organ, which is perfect for concerts. Because it's located in the center of Philadelphia, it's a popular place for entertainment for all ages. There are music classes for children, classical music concerts, and even alternative and punk rock concerts for young fans. The music and arts programs at First Unitarian are some of the best and most varied among churches in Center City Philadelphia.

In 2007, Rolling Stone magazine even called the church one of the top alternative rock venues. This was thanks to the successful concerts organized by R5 Productions in the basement, chapel, and main worship area. Since the mid-1990s, the church's basement, Griffin Hall, has been a popular spot for independent music concerts. Concert-goers often just call it "The Church." These shows have featured mostly punk and indie rock artists, but now include other types of music too.

Supporting Children and Families

First Church is home to two daycare centers: the Beacon Center and Little Miracles. Both centers have staff who have worked there for a long time. Members of First Church started the Beacon Center in the early 1980s to show the church's values.

The First Unitarian Church also welcomes families with young children and teens. They have religious education programs that teach about being responsible to others and to the Earth. The Neighboring Faiths program helps teens learn about other religions. This teaches them to be open-minded and respectful. Child dedications, where a thornless rose is used, are a special tradition for Unitarian Universalist families.

Images for kids

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  Led by interim minister Rev. Dr. Susan V. Rak, the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia dedicates its new Black Lives Matter banner on February 28, 2016. Photograph by Michael Johnson.