Originally built in 1689, King’s Chapel operated as an Anglican church. The original building was a small wooden chapel. Over time it started deteriorating, creating a need for the newer stone building. The stone building was a marvel, it was the first major building in the country built from stone. Because it was an Anglican church, many British loyalists worshipped there. The church did briefly close, but reopened for the funeral of Dr. Joseph Warren. After that, some of the old members and some members from other churches worshipped there throughout the Revolution. Paul Revere even recast the church bell after it cracked. After the war ended, the church reopened as the first Unitarian Church in America. The minister that reopened the church as Unitarian, James Freeman, revised the Anglican Book of Common Prayer to fit the needs of the church.

The church still follows Unitarian beliefs today, which differ from many common religions. Unitarian churches have people from all walks of life and utilize aspects from different religions. They do not use one method of understanding the universe. Not only do they use scripture, they use “science, nature, philosophy, personal experience, and ancient traditions.” They utilize aspects from both Eastern and Western religions. The churches have no creedal statement, which claims “divine origins or sanction.” The members come together in a safe environment to worship in a unique way that “begins with the question of human nature.” They follow seven principles as a guide in understanding the world. The principles focus in large part on kindness, understanding, and respect for others. 

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

King’s Chapel. “A Brief History of King’s Chapel.” King’s Chapel. Accessed September 15, 2016.  http://www.kings-chapel.org/brief-history.html

O’Connor, Thomas H. Boston: A to Z. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000.

Unitarian Universalist Association. “Our Beliefs and Principles.” Unitarian Universalist Association. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.uua.org/beliefs

Unitarian Universalist Association. “Our Unitarian Universalist Principles.” Unitarian Universalist Association. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles

Unitarian Universalist Association. “What we Believe.” Unitarian Universalist Association. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe

Unitarian Universalist Association. “ We Covenant Together: Worship that Works.” Unitarian Universalist Association. Accessed September 15, 2016. http://www.uua.org/worship/theory/worshipworks/129229.shtml