First Unitarian Universalist Church
Located at the intersection of Geary and Franklin in San Francisco’s Civic Center district, the First Unitarian Universalist Church stands as a powerful example of late 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture. Built in 1889 and designed by architect Percy & Hamilton, the church’s rusticated stone facade, arched triple entry, and imposing rose window evoke a sense of timeless strength—an architectural anchor in a city defined by transformation.
Crafted from rough-hewn stone with symmetrical towers and deep-set stained-glass windows, the church’s facade balances medieval inspiration with a distinctly Californian sensibility. The rose window, framed by a recessed circular arch, is the visual centerpiece, radiating from the gabled front with quiet authority. Its heavy wooden doors and rounded columns further amplify the Romanesque aesthetic, offering a welcome contrast to the clean-lined modern towers that surround it.
But what truly sets this church apart isn’t just its architecture—it’s its activism. From the banners advocating for justice to the community work carried out within its walls, the First Unitarian Universalist Church has long been a spiritual and political force in San Francisco. It’s a place where stone meets soul, and where tradition and progress coexist under a vaulted ceiling.
Photographers will appreciate the building’s texture, symmetry, and ability to catch golden morning light, especially with a wide-angle lens that emphasizes its solidity against the vertical rise of the city around it. For history buffs, architecture lovers, and community-minded souls, this church is a must-see stop on the city’s spiritual and structural map.
First Unitarian Universalist Church
Located at the intersection of Geary and Franklin in San Francisco’s Civic Center district, the First Unitarian Universalist Church stands as a powerful example of late 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture. Built in 1889 and designed by architect Percy & Hamilton, the church’s rusticated stone facade, arched triple entry, and imposing rose window evoke a sense of timeless strength—an architectural anchor in a city defined by transformation.
Crafted from rough-hewn stone with symmetrical towers and deep-set stained-glass windows, the church’s facade balances medieval inspiration with a distinctly Californian sensibility. The rose window, framed by a recessed circular arch, is the visual centerpiece, radiating from the gabled front with quiet authority. Its heavy wooden doors and rounded columns further amplify the Romanesque aesthetic, offering a welcome contrast to the clean-lined modern towers that surround it.
But what truly sets this church apart isn’t just its architecture—it’s its activism. From the banners advocating for justice to the community work carried out within its walls, the First Unitarian Universalist Church has long been a spiritual and political force in San Francisco. It’s a place where stone meets soul, and where tradition and progress coexist under a vaulted ceiling.
Photographers will appreciate the building’s texture, symmetry, and ability to catch golden morning light, especially with a wide-angle lens that emphasizes its solidity against the vertical rise of the city around it. For history buffs, architecture lovers, and community-minded souls, this church is a must-see stop on the city’s spiritual and structural map.