First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, Baltimore
The First Unitarian Church of Baltimore has a rich history dating back to 1817 when it was founded as the 鈥淔irst Independent Church of Baltimore鈥� by a group of free thinkers with 鈥渓iberal sentiments鈥� on religion. The church was built within two months of its founding, and completed in 1818. It is the oldest purpose-built Unitarian church in North America and a National Historic Landmark.
Designed by French 茅migr茅 Maximilian Godefroy, the church is considered among the world鈥檚 finest examples of French Neoclassical architecture. Its design was daring for the time, using basic shapes of the cube, sphere, and triangle with a minimum of detail.
In 1893, a major interior renovation was undertaken, which added a barrel-vaulted ceiling to improve the sanctuary鈥檚 acoustics and a Tiffany mosaic of 鈥淭he Last Supper鈥� composed of some 65,000 pieces of favrile glass.
The church played an important role in the development of Unitarianism in the United States. At the 1819 ordination of the church鈥檚 first minister, Jared Sparks, the Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing delivered a landmark sermon that defined the tenets of Unitarianism in the United States, emphasizing freedom, reason, and tolerance. Known as the 鈥淏altimore Sermon,鈥� it led to the formation of the denomination in 1825.
Over the years, the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore has had a number of notable members, including artist Rembrandt Peale, George Peabody, Enoch Pratt, pioneering social worker Mary Richmond, and Adelyn Breeskin, the first woman director of the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Today, the church continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for its congregation and the community. Its rich history and beautiful architecture make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in the history of religion and architecture in America.
Designed by French 茅migr茅 Maximilian Godefroy, the church is considered among the world鈥檚 finest examples of French Neoclassical architecture. Its design was daring for the time, using basic shapes of the cube, sphere, and triangle with a minimum of detail.
In 1893, a major interior renovation was undertaken, which added a barrel-vaulted ceiling to improve the sanctuary鈥檚 acoustics and a Tiffany mosaic of 鈥淭he Last Supper鈥� composed of some 65,000 pieces of favrile glass.
The church played an important role in the development of Unitarianism in the United States. At the 1819 ordination of the church鈥檚 first minister, Jared Sparks, the Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing delivered a landmark sermon that defined the tenets of Unitarianism in the United States, emphasizing freedom, reason, and tolerance. Known as the 鈥淏altimore Sermon,鈥� it led to the formation of the denomination in 1825.
Over the years, the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore has had a number of notable members, including artist Rembrandt Peale, George Peabody, Enoch Pratt, pioneering social worker Mary Richmond, and Adelyn Breeskin, the first woman director of the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Today, the church continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for its congregation and the community. Its rich history and beautiful architecture make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in the history of religion and architecture in America.
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First Unitarian Church of Baltimore on Map
Sight Name: First Unitarian Church of Baltimore
Sight Location: Baltimore, USA (See walking tours in Baltimore)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Baltimore, USA (See walking tours in Baltimore)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Baltimore, Maryland
Create Your Own Walk in Baltimore
Creating your own self-guided walk in Baltimore 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.
Baltimore Introduction Walking Tour
Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland. It is part of the Washington-Baltimore combined metropolitan area, making it a popular spot for those visitors who wish to see the city of Baltimore and the nation's capital. The city has a rich history in the founding of the United States.
Pre-colonization, the land that Baltimore now lies upon was inhabited by Paleo-Indians dating as far back as... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Pre-colonization, the land that Baltimore now lies upon was inhabited by Paleo-Indians dating as far back as... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Baltimore's Architectural Jewels
Overall, Baltimore's architecture is a testament to the city's rich and varied history, showcasing a wide range of styles and cultural influences that have shaped the local built environment over the centuries. Outside Federal-style row houses and grand Beaux-Arts museums, Baltimore is also known for a multitude of Art Deco buildings and temples of various styles, constructed between the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Edgar Allan Poe鈥檚 Baltimore
Edgar Allan Poe was a great American writer of short stories and poems. His works, from "The Raven" to "The Tell-Tale Heart," have inspired generations. Devotees of Edgar Allan Poe will find many mesmerizing spots in Edgar Allan Poe's Baltimore.
Poe moved to Baltimore for the first time in 1829 and left shortly thereafter. He returned in 1831 and wrote many poems and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.5 Km or 3.4 Miles
Poe moved to Baltimore for the first time in 1829 and left shortly thereafter. He returned in 1831 and wrote many poems and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.5 Km or 3.4 Miles