Site information:

160 N 3rd St, San Jose

37.339588,-121.890090

Plaque information:

State plaque

Plaque text:

First Unitarian Church

This building, designed by George W. Page in 1891, became the permanent home of a congregation that first met in City Hall in 1866. A version of Richardsonian Romanesque style, the innovative structure withstood the earthquake of 1906 and became a shelter for the injured. In 1906, the church women organized San Jose’s first day nursery.

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the members of the congregation, May 20, 1979.

OHP description:

This church's architectural character is generally described as Richardsonian Romanesque, it is one of the few churches in America patterned after the traditional Unitarian churches of Transylvania. Designed by architect G. W. Page and erected in 1891-92, the building has served its congregation continuously since construction.

Registered 9/1/1976