History

Originally called the Church of the Messiah, the Unitarian Church of Montpelier has been a Unitarian church since it was built in the mid-1800s.

The church was designed by Thomas Silloway, the architect of the present Vermont State House and many Universalist churches around New England. Dedicated on January 25, 1866, the church is the oldest standing church in Montpelier, and is the only church in Montpelier that has its original organ, a Stevens tracker organ. The building and the organ are used regularly for services and concerts. Many community organizations hold public events and meetings at the church.

The church is an outstanding example of how the Italian Renaissance style was interpreted for a prosperous New England town in the late 19th century. Over the years it has been remodeled several times, yet the church retains many of its original features. In 1997 the congregation developed a plan for maintenance and restoration of the structure and the organ, as well as funding sources to support those projects.

Exterior modifications to the church include changes to the steeple and to the west end of the building. The tall spire of the steeple is said to have first soared to 175 feet, but by 1889 was reduced to its present 100-foot height. Around 1900 the west end of the church was extended so that the organ and choir would be at the front of the sanctuary, where both would be more visible and audible. In the early 1980s a two-story addition to the west end was built to accommodate classrooms and offices. In 2000, steeple restoration was completed.

For a history of the Unitarian Universalist Church in general, please see the Unitarian Universalist Association website.