Third Unitarian Church

On a crisp autumn day in 1896, the Third Unitarian Church experienced a dramatic turning point. As congregants settled into their pews, a fire erupted below. Pastor James Vila Blake calmly instructed everyone to evacuate. The Chicago Tribune lauded his quick thinking with the headline, “Pastor Saves His Flock.” The Third Unitarian Church, a frame structure, burned rapidly. Only a small tower remained. The building, along with one of the first organs in a Chicago church, was lost. The congregation relocated to Lewis Institute, but the fire marked a significant chapter in the church’s history. This wasn’t the first challenge the Third Unitarian Church had faced. Founded in 1868 by a small group seeking a Unitarian presence in Chicago’s “West Division,” they first met in Martine Hall. Under their first pastor, Carlton A. Staples, the congregation quickly grew, leading to the purchase of land at Laflin and Monroe Streets for a dedicated building. Construction began, even holding services in the basement before the upper floors were complete. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 dealt a blow, hindering progress and forcing the church to shelter those displaced by the city-wide disaster. Despite this, the new church was dedicated in 1872. Financial troubles plagued the church in the late 1870s, leaving it dormant for periods. However, under Pastor Edward Illsley Galvin’s leadership in 1880, the Third Unitarian Church began to reorganize. The fire of 1896, though devastating, ultimately led to the construction of a new church at 3215 W. Monroe Street. This building too met its end, paving the way for the current structure at 301 N. Mayfield Avenue. Designed by Paul Schweikher during the Great Depression, the building’s modest brick and wood construction reflected both the era’s financial constraints and the congregation’s progressive values. An addition designed by William Fyfe followed in 1956. Today, the Third Unitarian Church stands as a testament to its resilient congregation. The church building’s design, once considered unorthodox, is now recognized as a Chicago landmark, a symbol of the church’s enduring spirit and its commitment to its community. Inside, the ceramic murals by Andrene Kauffman further illuminate the church’s values. These portraits of figures like Jane Addams, Abraham Lincoln, and Gandhi represent the “Saints of Liberalism” and serve as a visual reminder of the church’s commitment to social justice and progressive ideals. From its humble beginnings to its modern-day presence, the Third Unitarian Church has woven itself into the fabric of Chicago, a story of resilience, rebuilding, and a steadfast commitment to its beliefs.