First Unitarian Church of Oakland
historic place
The First Unitarian Church of Oakland is a historic place located in Alameda County, California. You'll find it at the corner of 14th and Castro Streets in downtown Oakland. The church building was completed in 1891. It was designed in 1889 by architect Walter J. Mathews in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This solid masonry construction was a notable departure from the more common Gothic wood frame churches in California at the time. It stands as one of the earliest examples of this architectural style on the West Coast. Inside, the church features stained glass windows from Goodhue of Boston. Its redwood arches were the widest spans in any building west of the Rocky Mountains when constructed. The land for the church was acquired in 1888 from Jane Sather, a notable figure in Oakland. The First Unitarian Church of Oakland is recognized as California Historical Landmark number 896 and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It continues to be a significant cultural and architectural landmark in the region.