First Unitarian Church

The First Unitarian Church at 1187 Franklin Street was built in 1889 using Richardson Romanesque design with rough-hewn granite walls. A square turret eventually replaced the original bell tower that once stood above the main structure.

The Unitarian congregation was established in 1853 on Stockton Street and later relocated to Union Square before arriving at its current Franklin Street location in 1889. The group moved multiple times as the city grew and changed around it.

The congregation attracted thoughtful members of the community who gathered here to discuss ideas and engage in reflection. The building became a gathering place where people came to think freely and exchange perspectives.

The building remains active as a place of worship and sits on a slope in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Visitors should check opening hours beforehand and be prepared for steps leading to the entrance.

Thomas Starr King, a former minister of the congregation, has his sarcophagus on the church grounds. His burial place marks a direct connection between the building and one of the congregation's most influential leaders.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1889

Architects: Percy & Hamilton

Address: 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, California

GPS coordinates: 37.78541,-122.42317

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:44