Beneath this impressive brownstone exterior lies a story of resilience. Welcome to the Arlington Street Church. It stands proudly across from the Public Garden. This church has been a beacon of progressive thought since its completion in 1861. Its history is rich with social activism and architectural grandeur.
Designed by Arthur Gilman and Gridley James Fox Bryant, the Arlington Street Church was inspired by St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Imagine this area in the 1850s. Boston was growing rapidly. Land was becoming scarce. The Back Bay was then a newly filled area. Arlington Street Church was the first public building erected here.
Its construction was an engineering feat. The building rests on 999 wooden pilings. These pilings are driven deep into the Back Bay mud. The brownstone came all the way from New Jersey. The bell tower soars 190 feet high. It houses 16 bells. Each bell bears a Biblical inscription. These bells are still rung by hand. Arlington Street Church is one of only four churches in Boston with this tradition.
Step inside the sanctuary. Notice the Corinthian columns. Admire the rounded arches. They were modeled after a basilica in Genoa, Italy. Some items came from the Federal Street Church. These include the Ten Commandments panels. Also the Lord’s Prayer panels and William Ellery Channing’s pulpit are original.
Originally, the sanctuary windows had clear glass. But in 1898, the congregation decided to install stained glass. These weren’t just any stained glass windows. These are Tiffany windows. The congregation commissioned Louis C. Tiffany’s studios to create them. The last of the 16 windows was installed in 1930.
Frederick Wilson, Tiffany’s chief designer, crafted these windows. He used special glassmaking techniques. These techniques include confetti glass and iridescent glass. He also used 3D-textured “drapery glass”. The windows depict scenes from Jesus’ life. The lower level windows show his early years. The upper level windows feature his Beatitudes. Look closely. You can see as many as seven layers of glass. These layers create amazing visual textures.
The Arlington Street Church has a progressive ministry. It goes back to William Ellery Channing. He preached in the church’s predecessor in the early 19th century. Channing was a major figure in American Unitarianism. A statue in his honor stands across the street in the Public Garden.
In 1935, the Second Universalist Church of Boston merged with Arlington Street Church. This merger brought together the ideas of Channing and Hosea Ballou. Channing is known as the father of American Unitarianism. Ballou is known as the father of American Universalism.
Arlington Street Church has been a site of important events. On May 17, 2004, it hosted the first state-sanctioned same-sex marriage in the United States. This event marked a significant moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
The Aeolian-Skinner organ was installed in 1957. It is a historic instrument from the 20th century. The church is an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This association promotes social witness and justice.
Today, Arlington Street Church stands as a testament to liberal theology. Its beautiful architecture and Tiffany windows draw visitors. But its history of activism and inclusion truly defines it. As you leave, remember that the Arlington Street Church is more than just a building. It is a symbol of progress, justice, and love.