First Unitarian Universalist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1891-92 at 160 North 3rd Street in San Jose, this church faces St. James Park and is one of four 19th-century buildings remaining there. Architect George W. Page, who had studied in Europe, designed a round sanctuary under a near-hemispherical dome, with about 70 semicircular arches and 48 stained glass windows. Its main dome rafters were made of laminated Oregon pine, an early use of the technique that helped the building survive the 1906 earthquake with minor damage; it then sheltered the injured. Reviewers have called the style Richardsonian Romanesque, though the dome and conical roofs depart from it, and the form resembles Transylvanian churches. The congregation dates to 1866 and has served continuously in this building. Its history includes opposition to the Loyalty Oath, support for Japanese Americans displaced in World War II, and an open forum policy. Changes since completion have been modest, though weather, settling and quakes have caused cracking.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its architecture, including a mix of Richardsonian Romanesque and Transylvanian church influences and an unusual dome. It also notes an early use of laminated wood rafters and its good performance in the 1906 earthquake. It further highlights the congregation's religious and social-humanitarian role since 1866.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77000343, listed November 17, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 160 N. 3rd St., San Jose |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | November 17, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000343 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1891-92 |
| Architect / builder | George W. Page, San Jose |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque with Transylvanian/European influences (unique dome and conical roofs) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in continuous use as a religious facility since 1892; some deterioration noted, including stucco cracks and a leaning rear wall. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 37.33953, -121.89001 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77000343.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453954
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.