Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
First Unitarian Church
Helena Historic District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021
1. First Unitarian Church Marker
Inscription.
First Unitarian Church. Helena Historic District. Outstanding architecture and a long history of community service make this stunning landmark much beloved. It is the only known example of prominent architect C. S. Haires work in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Magnificent round arches, a stylistic hallmark, are its most prominent feature. Public-spirited Unitarians believed that churches should serve the community. They planned the building to function as a public auditorium and theater as well as a church. At its dedication in 1901, Reverend Leslie Sprague said, I do not believe God wants churches that are too holy for usefulness in any cause, even for the entertainment and pastime of His children. In 1933, the Unitarians donated the church to the city and it became the public library. It has been home to Grandstreet Theatre since 1976. The interior features a Tiffany window, exquisite woodwork, and the handsome original proscenium arch. In 2005, the 1901 blueprints inspired the replacement of the aging utilitarian window above the entry. The new window follows the designers original sketch. Today Grandstreet Theatre, vital to the towns creative spirit, perpetuates the Unitarians bequest.
Outstanding architecture and a long history of community service make this stunning landmark much beloved. It is the only known example of prominent architect C. S. Haires work in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Magnificent round arches, a stylistic hallmark, are its most prominent feature. Public-spirited Unitarians believed that churches should serve the community. They planned the building to function as a public auditorium and theater as well as a church. At its dedication in 1901, Reverend Leslie Sprague said, I do not believe God wants churches that are too holy for usefulness in any cause, even for the entertainment and pastime of His children. In 1933, the Unitarians donated the church to the city and it became the public library. It has been home to Grandstreet Theatre since 1976. The interior features a Tiffany window, exquisite woodwork, and the handsome original proscenium arch. In 2005, the 1901 blueprints inspired the replacement of the aging utilitarian window above the entry. The new window follows the designers original sketch. Today Grandstreet Theatre, vital to the towns creative spirit, perpetuates
Location. 46° 35.422′ N, 112° 2.405′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is at the intersection of North Park Avenue and West Lawrence Street, on the right when traveling north on North Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 North Park Avenue, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Gold West Country. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
