A memorial display with a wooden plaque engraved with the quote, 'To live in hearts that love is not to die,' and two open binders containing records labeled 'A-M' and 'N-Z,' on a brick floor.

Our Historic Congregation

a black and white photo of people meeting in the church lobby before the expansion project was completed.
a photo of the old church building located downtown
builders lay wood to form the concrete ceilings of the sanctuary.
a far-away photo of the current building being constructed. there are 2 cranes shown
a photo of the completed building covered in snow
a photo of the playground featuring a metal-worked truck jungle gym
a photo of the completed building featuring the original brick road sign reading First Unitarian Church 220 South Winton Road
a photo of the back of the building, taken before the elevator was installed in the 1960's. a caption reads "Before the elevator, showing the airshaft"
a photo showing the exterior of the building
a photo showing the exterior, "front" of the building taken from the parking lot
a black and white photo of the exterior street-view of the building
a photo of the exterior of the building, taken from the parking lot
a black and white photo of the choir loft before the current pipe organ was installed. a caption reads "the old electronic organ"
a photo taken in the lobby showing the elevator and American Flag. a caption reads "the elevator, first floor"
a photo of the open elevator taken from the hallway outside of Gilbert Hall. a caption reads "second floor"
a photo - taken above from the choir loft - of the chancel. a caption reads "the new expanded pulpit"
a brick wall with a round electronic metal button with a wheelchair user embossed in blue. a caption reads "front door openers, inside and out"
a photo of a stone wall in a green garden with tall trees in the background. a caption reads "the memorial wall in the church garden, inscribed 'to live in hearts that love is not to die'"
a photo of an interior wall with a vertical, silver button embossed with a wheelchair user in blue.
a black and white exterior photo of the church
an exterior photo of the church and trees taken from the parking lot
an exterior photo of the church courtyard and main entrance door.
a photo of the main entry door with a caption that reads "the courtyard after eliminating the steps"
a photo of a wooden plaque that reads "here let no one be a stranger" that hangs above a glass-enclosed book of members signatures
a photo of a snow-covered parking lot with a caption that reads "the new taller parking lot lights also the lower lot".
a photo taken from under a tree of a fenced-in area with a caption that reads "the playground - two views"
a photo of the exterior main entry door before the step was eliminated
a photo of a snow-covered light post, fence and hedge with a caption that reads "the old parking lot lights"
a photo of the old light posts featuring a rounded top and a stocky square bottom
a photo taken of the chancel featuring the original pulpit. a caption reads "the original pulpit"
a photo of an exterior patio off of the Susan B. Anthony lounge
a photo of an exterior ramp leading onto the Susan B. Anthony patio from the lounge. a caption reads "ramp from SBA lounge to S. courtyard"
a photo of a walkway with a brick knee-height wall on one side and a brick exterior building wall on the other. a caption reads "looking in from the S. courtyard"
a photo of a wooden door with a blue plaque that features a wheelchair user on it.
a photo of a sign with an ADA female, ADA male and ADA wheelchair user symbol and the words RESTROOM in all-capital letters as well as in braille. a caption reads "restroom with sign also in braille"
a photo of the exterior South side of the building featuring a snow-covered patio. a caption reads "new view of the south courtyard - showing wall in front of new ramp"
a photo showing a wooden railing installed into the chancel steps
a photo showcasing the railing-mounting hardware on the chancel steps
a photo of the chancel taken from stage right showing the wall and showcasing the rainbow gradient of the woven wall hangings. a caption reads "after the wall hangings were installed"

Organized in 1829, the congregation of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester has always taken seriously its role as a religious community with a civic circumference. Our history is one of activism and issues, of challenges and community. We hope that learning something of our past will assist in achieving our visions for the future.

For an interesting look at some of the historical documents relevant to the First Unitarian Congregation, please see the catalog of our archival material in the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation department of the University of Rochester.

Did You Know?

  • That In the 1850s, at least eight families from our church were part of the Underground Railroad and that our church was a stronghold of two rival antislavery organizations?

  • That members of our church helped Frederick Douglass secretly escape to Canada just before the Civil war and that the minister of our church was the main speaker at his funeral in Rochester in 1895?

  • That architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed and printed on a hand-operated press a special edition of a sermon by one of First Unitarian’s ministers?

More History Documents and Information

Our History Team

The History Team helps preserve and share the story of First Unitarian Church of Rochester—collecting photographs, documents, and memories that illuminate our congregation’s long and evolving history. Through research, archives, and storytelling, the team works to keep our community connected to the people, events, and values that have shaped our church over the years.

Much of this work is guided by longtime member and church historian Bill Fugate, whose deep knowledge of the congregation’s history and dedication to its preservation have been invaluable. Bill’s research, writing, and storytelling help ensure that the rich history of First Unitarian continues to inform and inspire our community today.

Portrait of an older man with glasses and a short gray beard wearing a light blue button-down shirt, standing in front of a brick wall and artwork.
Join the History Team on Church Center