Tremont Temple Baptist Church

The Tremont Theatre was a playhouse in Boston. A group of wealthy Boston residents financed the building's construction. Architect Isaiah Rogers designed the original Theatre structure in 1827 in the Greek Revival style. 

On 28 December 1843, the Free Church Baptists bought the Tremont Theatre, built in 1827 in Greek Revival style. They renamed it the Tremont Temple and adapted it for use for religious worship. They did not charge for attending their church and had a racially integrated congregation. Although the building was largely used for religious purposes, it also served occasionally as the venue for public events. The congregation called it Tremont Street Baptist Church and later Union Temple Baptist Church, adopting the name Tremont Temple Baptist Church in 1891.

The Temple was damaged by fire, at the time, offices were occupied by music instructors, dentists, a taxidermist, and several artists: Fitz Henry Lane, Benjamin Champney, Mr. Kimberly, John C. King, B. F. Mason, Wellman Morrison, John Pope, and John W. A. Scott. It was also used for the storage of Thomas Thompson extensive art collection, largely destroyed. 

The temple suffered subsequent fires in 1879 and 1893 and was repaired.

The congregation had decided on a new, larger structure. Designed by architect Clarence Blackall, it was intended to be a church with an auditorium and other spaces suitable for leasing for business purposes, in order to support church functions. The building originally was designed with retail stores on the ground floor and commercial offices on the upper floors. Revenue from business rents and rental of the auditorium for concerts enabled the church to continue to provide free seats to all worshippers.