Unitarian Church of All Souls Celebrates 200th Anniversary with Bicentennial Events and Historical Reflection

The Unitarian Church of All Souls recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, marking two centuries of worship that welcomes all individuals regardless of their religious beliefs. The congregation, known for its inclusive approach, has long been a beacon of social justice, compassion, and intellectual inquiry.

Mayor Bill de Blasio recognized Nov. 15, 2019, as “The Unitarian Church of All Souls Day,” honoring its enduring commitment to caring for the hungry and homeless, advocating for the LGBTQIA community, and offering a space for those seeking truth and meaning, including atheists and agnostics. This recognition underscores the church’s role as a vital community institution.

In a recent sermon, Senior Minister Galen Guengerich reflected on the church’s founding in 1819, describing it as “an open-minded revolt against a culture dominated by closed-minded religious orthodoxy.” The founders prioritized reason over revelation and science over scripture, reflecting a progressive theological stance that has shaped the congregation’s identity over time.

Throughout its history, All Souls has moved uptown with the city’s population, changing names and locations four times. It settled at its current site on 80th Street and Lexington Avenue in 1932. The nearly 90-year-old Georgian sanctuary is now undergoing a major renovation, with Christmas Eve services this year held at the nearby Temple Shaaray Tefila due to construction.

Despite the ongoing renovation, the church marked its bicentennial with a three-day celebration featuring intimate dinners at congregants’ homes, dessert and dancing at the church, old-fashioned games, and historical performances. Susan Frederick-Gray, president of the Unitarian-Universalist Association, delivered a special sermon during the festivities. The church also published a 400-page coffee-table book, “All Souls at 200,” detailing its journey from a small gathering in a downtown parlor to a flagship of Unitarian-Universalism.

The book recounts how Unitarianism was virtually unknown in New York City in 1819 when William Ellery Channing, a Unitarian minister in Boston, visited his sister’s home on Broome Street. Channing’s sermon, which emphasized reason over literal interpretation of the Bible, Jesus as a human to be followed, and God’s love for all faiths, sparked significant debate and drew attention from New Yorkers eager to hear his ideas.

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