Memorial to Oliver Ames, Donor of the Unity Church Building
To the left of the pulpit is an arch designed by Henry Hobson Richardson holding a bust of Unity Church's donor, Oliver Ames (1807-1877). This bust was carved by Truman Howe Bartlett, a noted sculptor of Abraham Lincoln and instructor of modeling at MIT. Bartlett also did the bust of Oliver Ames (1779-1863) on Oliver Street and the bust in the Ames Free Library.
The text on this memorial reads, "In affectionate remembrance of Oliver Ames, the second of that name, born at Plymouth, Nov 5th 1807, died at Easton March 9th 1877. Pure in soul, clear in judgment, wise in action, inflexible for the right, full of public spirit with heart and hand, ready for every good work, his daily life was his best monument. Inheriting the name and virtues of a noble father, he kept them unsullied and died as he had lived, honored and beloved by all. He was one of the foremost promoters of many great public enterprises and filled numerous places of honor and trust with fidelity and ability. A steadfast Christian, he built and endowed this church as an expression of his faith and love."
