Erected in 1828 in Harvard Square. In 1858, the church moved to a new structure at the corner of Harvard St. and Pierce St. In 1859, John Panter acquired the former structure and moved it forward into the apex of the two main thoroughfares, Washington St. and Harvard St., and created storefronts on the first floor.

The church was the outgrowth of meetings first organized by Elijah Corey who sought an alternative to the First Parish Church which was located at the top of Walnut surrounded by the monied elite of Brookline to whom the parish appealed.

[Courtesy of the Digital Commonwealth (CC BY-NC-ND). From the Brookline Photograph Collection published by the Public Library of Brookline]