First Universalist Church, Rochester
The First Universalist Church of Rochester, located on South Clinton Avenue, stands as both a historic landmark and an active spiritual center. Founded in 1819 and affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, it is one of two Unitarian Universalist congregations in Monroe County.
The current building was constructed between September 1907 and October 1908, designed by celebrated architect Claude Fayette Bragdon in the Romanesque Revival style, with influences drawn from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Its unified proportions, brickwork accented by stone and ceramic tile, and striking central tower crowned by a pyramidal lantern have earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.
Inside, the church houses a rare, fully preserved Hope-Jones organ known for its resonant, lush sound鈥攁n exceptional instrument from a largely lost lineage. Despite roof damage sustained in 2019, repairs have restored the structure鈥檚 architectural integrity. The building remains largely unchanged since its dedication, with the Library of Congress praising its harmony in color and design.
Beyond its architectural and musical heritage, the church maintains a vibrant presence in Rochester鈥檚 cultural and civic life. It offers hybrid worship services, faith development programs, drop-in discussions, social justice initiatives, and a robust small-group ministry. A regularly stocked Little Free Library extends its community outreach, providing free books and essentials to anyone in need.
The church also partners with the Eastman Community Music School to host free weekly concerts, showcasing top musicians from Eastman and ECMS. Through this blend of spiritual depth, historical preservation, and civic engagement, the First Universalist Church continues to serve as a beacon of inclusive faith and cultural vitality in downtown Rochester.
The current building was constructed between September 1907 and October 1908, designed by celebrated architect Claude Fayette Bragdon in the Romanesque Revival style, with influences drawn from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Its unified proportions, brickwork accented by stone and ceramic tile, and striking central tower crowned by a pyramidal lantern have earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.
Inside, the church houses a rare, fully preserved Hope-Jones organ known for its resonant, lush sound鈥攁n exceptional instrument from a largely lost lineage. Despite roof damage sustained in 2019, repairs have restored the structure鈥檚 architectural integrity. The building remains largely unchanged since its dedication, with the Library of Congress praising its harmony in color and design.
Beyond its architectural and musical heritage, the church maintains a vibrant presence in Rochester鈥檚 cultural and civic life. It offers hybrid worship services, faith development programs, drop-in discussions, social justice initiatives, and a robust small-group ministry. A regularly stocked Little Free Library extends its community outreach, providing free books and essentials to anyone in need.
The church also partners with the Eastman Community Music School to host free weekly concerts, showcasing top musicians from Eastman and ECMS. Through this blend of spiritual depth, historical preservation, and civic engagement, the First Universalist Church continues to serve as a beacon of inclusive faith and cultural vitality in downtown Rochester.
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First Universalist Church on Map
Sight Name: First Universalist Church
Sight Location: Rochester, USA (See walking tours in Rochester)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rochester, USA (See walking tours in Rochester)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rochester, New York
Create Your Own Walk in Rochester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rochester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rochester Introduction Walking Tour
Rochester is New York's third-biggest city. The location of the Genessee River helped to establish Rochester as a mill town early in its history. English settlers arrived in the area that would become the city when the Iroquois tribe ceded their territory after the American Revolution.
The Eerie Canal construction in the 1820s helped the city grow into an urban center that would set the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
The Eerie Canal construction in the 1820s helped the city grow into an urban center that would set the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Historical Churches
The city of Rochester's community is diverse, with many religious denominations coexisting peacefully within its borders. The spiritual attitude of locals is duly reflected by the historic churches, their congregations and architectural elements. A good number of places of worship found in the city are designated historic sites. Here are some of the most prominent of them.
Downtown United... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Downtown United... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Historical Industrial Buildings
Once a major manufacturing center, Rochester, NY went down in history as one of the United States' first boom-towns. Back in between 1860 and 1900 the city's population grew threefold on the back of the inflow of numerous immigrants 鈥� Italians, Germans, Irish and others 鈥� that saw Rochester expand dramatically on both sides of the Genesee River. During that period the city rose to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles