Historic Unitarian
Universalist Church

Originally located on Oglethorpe Square, the Unitarian Universalist Church, built in 1851, now sits on the west side of Troup Square at 321 Habersham. Reverend John Pierpont Jr. was called as the minister of the church in 1852, and his brother James served as the organist and choir director. Legend says that James Pierpont wrote the song we know as “Jingle Bells” during the time that he served at this church. The Unitarian church was forced to close prior to the Civil War because of their abolitionist beliefs.

After the Civil War, freed slaves bought the Gothic style church designed by John Norris, partially dismantled it, and rolled it through the streets of the city to its present site in Troup Square. Renamed St. Stephen Episcopal Church, for the next 80 years it was home to the first African Episcopal parish in Georgia. As fate would have it, the Unitarians reclaimed the church in 1997.

For more information(912) 234-0980
Unitarian Universalist Church