Designed by Stanford White, Judson Memorial Church at the south end of Washington Square Park is a beautiful example of Italian Renaissance design and was built to honor Adoniran Judson, the first American foreign missionary (who served in Burma). 

 

 

John La Farge (1835 - 1910), Tiffany’s main competitor in stained glass, designed this church's 17 stained glass windows.  The church’s mission was to aid the immigrants in its neighborhood and it has often focused on controversial social issues by serving runaway teenagers, persons with AIDS and those with drug problems.  Judson Memorial also played a role in the artistic development of the community by providing space for art exhibitions, a dance theatre, the Living Theatre, and political performances.