A New Narrative on Harvard Square
By Joshua Thomas Castaño
Director of Community Engagement Services, Partners for Sacred Places
I
t might be hard to miss among the centuries of history and
UniLu is not just a beautiful church; it is a welcoming home
high energy of Harvard Square, but as you walk along Win-
to students, neighbors, and the neediest through a variety of
throp Street a handsome midcentury tower begins to dis-
programs, but especially through the Harvard Square Homeless
tinguish itself from the crowded fabric of university buildings.
Shelter, which has been operating out of the church’s basement
Soon you’re greeted by a patio filled with Adirondack chairs in
(after a major remodel) since 1983. Entirely student-run, the
the spectrum of the rainbow, a landmark for students hurrying
shelter serves about 24 homeless men and women nightly more
around town, and you know that you’ve found a remarkable hub
than six months of the year. In early 2017, a new initiative in
of ministry, social outreach, and intellectual engagement at Uni-
ministry began when the Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition was
versity Lutheran Church in Cambridge (known as UniLu for
founded, prompting the adaptation of former Sunday school
short).
classrooms into living space for a sanctuary family. An ecu-
Founded dur-
menical team of
ing a period of
volunteers pro-
intense effort by
vides ‘round-the-
Lutherans to pro-
clock support and
vide spiritual
safekeeping.
community and
In spring 2018 the
chaplaincy at uni-
congregation
versities across the
reached out to
nation, the Uni-
Partners for Sa-
versity Lutheran
cred Places for
Association of
support and re-
Greater Boston, as
sources addressing
UniLu is officially
questions about
known, settled
the future of its
right into the
historic space, its
heart of Harvard
role within the
Square in the
community, and
1930s. By 1951 the
how it could lever-
growing mission
age the church’s
led to the con-
space in new ways
struction of a
to increase minis-
permanent wor-
try and support a
ship and program
sustainable future
space designed by
for the landmark
noted local archi-
building. The in-
tect Arland Dir-
auguration of the
lam. The progres-
Interfaith Sanctu-
University Lutheran's sanctuary space, beautifully preserved since 1952. Credit: Joshua Castaño
sive, non-
ary Coalition
traditional
helped push the
design—known to-
congregation’s
day as Mid-Century Modern—balances timeless qualities of
thinking further, as key lay leader Claye Metelmann describes it:
church architecture with modern materials and taste. For his
“We are always in conversation about the changing nature of
design, Dirlam won the prestigious Harleston Parker Award
ministry at 66 Winthrop and the changing uses for our space.
from the Boston Society of Architects in 1952.
We’re inspired by the dynamism of our neighborhood and uni-
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SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2019