First Unitarian Church, Religious building in West Newton, Massachusetts
The First Unitarian Church is a Stick style building completed in 1906 at Washington Street in West Newton, featuring a square tower with crenellations. Adjacent office and banquet spaces, along with a parish house, form an enclosed courtyard around the main structure.
The cornerstone was laid in 1905 and the church was dedicated in 1906, with architect Ralph Adams Cram designing the building. This completion marked the establishment of the religious institution in West Newton village.
The church displays stained glass windows honoring Horace Mann and Cyrus Peirce, two education pioneers from Massachusetts. These windows reflect the local connection to the story of schooling in the region.
The building is easily viewed from the street and its architectural details are clearly visible from outside. The entire complex with its courtyard and adjacent spaces is straightforward to explore and sits on carefully designed grounds.
Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the renowned landscape designer, created the surrounding grounds and connected architecture with natural planning in a single vision. This partnership makes the entire ensemble a special union of building and landscape.
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