Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead began over 280 years ago, when the congregation split from the First Congregational Church, now called "Old North Church." The split happened because Old North selected the more conservative of two candidates being considered for settled minister.

A group of parishioners, who favored the more liberal pastor Rev. Edward Holyoke, invited him to lead a new church across town. Thus was born the Second Congregational Church of Marblehead, which joined the Unitarian movement in 1820 under the auspices of Reverend John Bartlett, who served from 1811 until he died in 1849.

Today, the church offers youth and adult education, and also hosts the me & thee coffeehouse on Friday nights.