Perhaps you’ve wondered about that striking building at West 76th Street and Central Park West. That’s the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York. It is a congregation with a rich history and a commitment to social justice.
Founded in 1838 this church is the last surviving Universalist congregation in the city. The Fourth Universalist Society started as the fourth society in New York City. It was devoted to the Universalist faith. Early on, the congregation was known as Friends of the Final Restitution. In 1848, it changed its name to the Church of the Divine Paternity. The church officially became the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York in 1967.
Over the years, many notable people have been members. These include P. T. Barnum, Horace Greeley, and Lou Gehrig. Also, Oscar Hammerstein II, Louise Whitfield Carnegie, Barbara Gittings, and Winifred Latimer Norman.
In 1898, the congregation built its current home. At the time, it was dubbed the Cathedral of Universalism. William Appleton Potter designed the church. He based the design on Magdalen Tower in Oxford. The design also incorporates buildings at Magdalen College. The church’s English Perpendicular Gothic style is rare. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright praised it. His daughter was even married here.
Inside the Fourth Universalist Society, you will find significant art. There is an altar by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Also, a bronze relief sculpture by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. You can admire a mosaic by J&R Lamb Studios. Stained glass windows by Clayton and Bell of London add to the beauty. Louise Carnegie donated the organ.
In the 1980s, developers wanted the church’s valuable location. However, the congregation chose a different path. It joined with community members to form Save Our Universalist Landmark SOUL. Together, they raised money for maintenance and improvements. The church promised not to sell its development rights. This was one of the first agreements of its kind.
The Fourth Universalist Society is known for its activism and justice work. It supports immigration justice and voter advocacy. The church is also involved in environmentalism. It supports the LGBT community and Black Lives Matter.
In 2017, the congregation voted to become a sanctuary. This was to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Sadly, the building was vandalized with swastikas. This incident received national attention.
In March 2018, the church accepted Aura Hernandez into sanctuary. She was an undocumented mother fleeing abuse. The New York Times and other media covered her story. Since 2019, Fourth Universalist has been home to Sanctuary Neighborhoods. This is a network that supports immigrant families in New York City.
The Fourth Universalist Society has a long line of dedicated clergy. The list includes William Whittaker, Edwin Hubbell Chapin, and Rosemary Bray McNatt. Schuyler Vogel served as Senior Minister.
Today, the Fourth Universalist Society continues its mission. It embraces diverse beliefs and practices. The congregation finds unity in its commitment to social justice. It stands as a beacon of liberal religion on the Upper West Side.