First Unitarian Church of San Jose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Unitarian Church of San Jose |
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View of the front of the church, facing southeast.
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| Location | 160 N. Third Street San Jose, California, USA |
| Built | 1892 |
| Governing body | First Unitarian Church of San Jose |
| Official name: First Unitarian Universalist Church | |
| Reference no. | 77000343 |
| Reference no. | 902 |
The First Unitarian Church of San Jose is a historic building in downtown San Jose, California. It stands at 160 North Third Street, right across from St. James Park. This church was designed by architect George Page, who also created the Hayes Mansion. He used a special building style called "Richardsonian Romanesque".
A local historian, Linda Larson Boston, described the church as very unique. She noted it has a large stained glass window with three arches on the front. You can also see many domes, cupolas (small domes), and both round and square towers. The church building was finished in 1892.
The people who started the church bought the land in 1888. A special ceremony took place on September 23, 1891, to lay the first stone, called a cornerstone. This building is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also recognized as a California Historical Landmark. This means it's a very important and protected historical site.
The church is part of The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA). It also works with a group called "People Acting in Community Together."
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
The first Unitarian services in San Jose happened in November 1865. About 100 people attended this first meeting in City Hall. A couple named Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Watkins helped start the church. They lived in Santa Clara and were members of the San Francisco Unitarian Church.
The Watkins were strong supporters of women's right to vote. They also helped organize the U.S. Sanitary Commission. This group helped people affected by the Civil War. It later became like the Red Cross we know today. The Watkins believed San Jose needed a more open-minded religious group.
They invited a speaker named Rev. Charles Gordon Ames. He had traveled through the South after the war. His first sermon was about freedom and respect for all people. This idea has been very important to the First Unitarian Church ever since. Sometimes, this led the church to support ideas that were not popular with everyone.
Important Early Members
Many important people in San Jose were early members of the church. A.T. Herman was a civil engineer who built the road up Mt. Hamilton. Dr. Benjamin Cory was San Jose's first doctor. He also started what is now the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. J.J. Owen was the editor and publisher of the San José Mercury newspaper. J.E. Brown was a state legislator, helping to make laws for California.
In 2016, the church celebrated a big milestone. It marked 150 years since the congregation first began in San Jose.
Fire and Rebuilding
The 1995 Fire
On October 16, 1995, a large fire badly damaged the church. It was a six-alarm fire, meaning it was very serious. The fire happened while the church was being renovated. For three years after the fire, the church members met in a community center nearby.
Restoration and Community Center
The main worship area was ready for services again in 1998. The full repair and renovation of the building cost $8 million. Work and fundraising continued until 2001. A famous actor, Dustin Hoffman, even helped with a fundraiser. He was filming a movie called Mad City next door in 1996.
As part of the renovation, the church added new classrooms and office spaces in its basement. This allowed them to create the Third Street Community Center in 1998. This center is a separate, non-religious non-profit organization. It helps the community in several ways.
The center includes the Don Edwards Computer Learning Academy. This program offers computer classes. It also has an after-school program for kids. Additionally, it provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These programs help low-income families and immigrant neighbors in the area.
