3. Judson Memorial Church

The landmarked Judson Memorial Church has a long history with the performing arts. In the 1950s, the church became a space where performers and other artists could make work without censorship. Reverend Al Carmines, the associate pastor of the church from 1961 through 1981, focused his ministry on the arts.

In 1961, the Judson’s Poets Theater found a home here and swept the church up into the Off-Off-Broadway movement. The church continued to present political work in the 1970s and ’80s and currently houses three performing organizations: The Gym at Judson and Magic Time incubate new performance and theater works and The Bailout Theater hosts free home-cooked dinners and entertainment.

Every month at Judson, Magic Time features a new playwright. Next month’s playwright is Monet Hurst-Mendoza.