LANDMARK SITE

“Architecture is the thoughtful making of spaces. It is the creating of spaces that evoke a feeling of appropriate use.”

– Louis Kahn, Architect

Our church building is widely recognized as one of the most architecturally significant structures in the Rochester area. Designed by Louis Kahn, it is regularly visited and studied by architects, students, and tourists from around the world. In 2014, the church was added to the list of U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It has been described as one of “the most significant works of religious architecture of the [20th] century” and as “the only building of international significance” in Monroe County. It is regularly visited by architects and students from all over the world.

The extensive garden areas that surround the First Unitarian Church were developed over the past thirty years largely through the efforts of the late Madlyn Evans. Volunteer gardeners provide the majority of the care of the gardens.

Church member and historian Bill Fugate created this slideshow which tells the story with images of the construction and architecture of our building.

Tours

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Individual and group tours are available by appointment Monday through Friday by emailing the office at [email protected].

Saturday tours are available for groups of 10 or more by special arrangement.

Sunday tours are not available.

Please enjoy our Self-Guided Tour sheet as you listen to the audio files (below), which correspond to each section on the tour sheet.

For best results with the audio files, you will need to download a free version of Dropbox, if you don’t already have it.

NOTE: Our church building remains closed at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are not currently able to offer tours of the church building. You are welcome to visit and enjoy our Church gardens and grounds in keeping with social distancing and the use of masks.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Please enjoy our Self-Guided Tour sheet as you listen to the audio files (below), which correspond to each section on the tour sheet.

For best results with the audio files, you will need to download a free version of Dropbox, if you don’t already have it.

For more information, please email [email protected]