"The Boston Religion:" The Rise and Fall of 19th Century Unitarianism with John Howe

Few religious traditions are so identified with a particular time and place, as Unitarianism with Boston in the early 1800s is. Known in some quarters as the "Boston Religion," Unitarianism rose rapidly to a dominant position of power, influence, and prestige among religious denominations in the early decades of the American republic. Yet only a short while later, by the time of the Civil War, it entered a long period of decline before morphing in the mid-20th century into a new and, in some ways, quite distinct form, today's Unitarian Universalism.

Please join FCB's lead parish historian, John Howe, for an illustrated presentation and discussion of "The Boston Religion." We will learn more about the many significant monuments of "classical" Boston Unitarianism, only a few of which survive as active UU churches; learn about the various factors that led to this rise and fall in influence; and explore lessons that historians have drawn as today's UU church faces the challenges of the 21st century.

To learn more, contact Lillian Anderson at landerson@uubelmont.org