Welcome
Arlington Street Church is a thriving Unitarian Universalist congregation that has been meeting continuously since 1729. The congregation has a long history of progressive activism and a Sunday service that seeks to comfort, challenge, and uplift. We are an actively anti-racist congregation, deeply committed to countering oppression and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
We are a motley crew — a wide variety of wildly diverse spiritual seekers. What unites us is not a creed but our devotion to the beloved spiritual community, founded on our covenant of love, service, justice, and peace. At Arlington Street, you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, and your expansive heart.
Affirmation & Covenant of Arlington Street Church
Love is the spirit of this congregation,
and service is our gift.
This is our great covenant:
to dwell together in peace,
To speak our truths in love,
and to help one another.
What is Unitarian Universalism?
Unitarian Universalism is an inclusive faith, centered around values rather than beliefs. The role of the UU church community is to support one another’s spiritual growth and give people the tools and resources they need to discover the beliefs that make sense to them. Unitarian Universalists are committed to respecting the worth and dignity of every person and keeping love at the center of all that we value.
Partners
Croma
Founded in 2016, Croma is a non-profit organization that supports the restoration of Arlington Street Church as a dynamic and inclusive center for arts, culture, and community-building. Croma cultivates funding for the building’s $20 million restoration campaign; collaborates on programming for leading-edge Latinx performers; and promotes the space as a welcoming, inclusive performance hub for under-resourced communities in Greater Boston. Croma is also responsible for
preserving the building’s priceless Tiffany windows and sharing them with the general public. Croma’s Visitor Center is a popular attraction for both Bostonians and visitors from around the world.
Ágora
Based at Arlington Street, Ágora Cultural Architects is a cultural center dedicated to producing a dynamic lineup of events with celebrated artists and creators. Their
mission is to empower, promote, and sustain the creators of Latin American culture. In addition, Ágora manages the rental spaces at Arlington Street, ensuring that the building remains a vibrant hub of community activity.
Friday Night Supper Program
The mission of the Friday Night Supper Program is to provide hot, nutritious meals in a safe and dignified environment. Since its founding at Arlington Street in 1984, FNSP has served thousands of meals every Friday night, including on holidays and through snow, power outages, storms, and the COVID-19 pandemic. A dedicated team of volunteers also provides seasonally appropriate clothing, blankets, and toiletries to anyone who asks, no questions asked.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Every weekday morning at 7:30, Arlington Street opens its doors to one of the oldest meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous in Boston, known as the Back Bay Steps. Recently, the church became the meeting site for two evening meetings as well. Arlington Street is honored to support this free, lifesaving program for people in recovery from addiction.
