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General Assembly Satellite Site at First Church in Boston, MA

An Invitation from First Church in Boston, MA

We are excited to share an enriching GA 2026 experience with you from Boston’s Back Bay! Come experience GA from Boston’s oldest church community. Our 54 year old building, with inclusive bathrooms, accessible entrances, and a full kitchen, provides an accessible place to ground your time at General Assembly. Join us for incredible music and programming! With state-of-the-art multimedia and streaming capabilities, we are in for a great GA satellite experience. We have lots of space to enjoy refreshments while connecting and gathering with fellow UUs. Between sessions you can explore Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, the Public Garden, and the Boston Common! We’ll see you in June!

An exterior of First Church Boston shows a terraced garden leading to a shaded area. The buildings long, sloped green roof covers the entryway. A bright green tree and landscaping are visible, as is a tower rising from the center of the sloped roof. The building is mostly made of poured concrete.

About the Space

First Church in Boston is the oldest church in the city, founded in 1630. Our current building, designed by architect Paul Rudolph and completed in 1972, blends innovative modern architecture with historic memorials and artifacts. Set among the historic Back Bay brownstones, we’re just a short walk from the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Charles River Esplanade.

We offer a variety of gathering spaces—from our 250‑seat Sanctuary to small conference rooms in our historic office wing. Spaces in the newer building feature a midcentury modern aesthetic and can be arranged with tables, chairs, and audio/video equipment as needed. More details and photos are available on our rental page.

A view from the interior sanctuary space. The seating is rows of orange-brown padded seats with wooden pockets on the back holding hymnals. The walls are light stone. There are many pipes visible from a large organ, and natural light filtering in.

What’s Included Onsite

Livestreaming will take place in our air‑conditioned Chapel using recently upgraded broadcast equipment. Attendees will also have access to breakout spaces throughout the building for formal or informal discussions.

We have a full kitchen and will provide coffee along with mid‑morning and afternoon snacks. Guests can bring lunch to enjoy in our outdoor amphitheater, and a wide variety of restaurants are located within a few blocks.

We also expect to offer a professionally guided walking tour of our historic neighborhood, led by Janine (details and scheduling to come).

Parking and Transportation

We strongly encourage public transportation. The church is close to both the Arlington Street and Copley Square stops on the Green Line. Rideshare services are also readily available.

For those who choose to drive, the best parking option is the Boston Common Garage. Limited metered parking is available beside the church (restricted to two hours on Saturdays; free on Sundays). For accessible parking, please contact the church office to reserve one of our limited onsite spaces.

Accessibility

All public gathering spaces—including the Chapel and restrooms—are accessible. An elevator connects the main floor registration area to the second‑floor Chapel.

Entry to the building is via an exterior ramp. While regularly used by individuals with mobility devices, the incline is slightly steeper than current ADA standards. Guests using a reserved garage parking space will have elevator access directly into the building.

We will provide a quiet, low‑stimulus space; however, it is only accessible by stairs. Our large exterior porch is fully accessible and offers an additional quieter area.

Contact

Julissica Navarro-Norton julissica@firstchrchboston.org

Registration

General Assembly Registration is required. Site admission to First Church Boston for the June 19-21 weekend can be added to any full adult GA registration for $25.