SALEM — Music and harmony will carry listeners through time during a free concert tomorrow afternoon at the First Universalist Church.

Parishioners Bill and Sarah Smith will direct a vocal and instrumental concert of hymns from the early 1800s to the present, such as early "shape note" hymns before people were classically trained in music and Victorian hymns from the mid-19th century.

"We put together a program that reflects specific hymns we know were sung at our church," Sarah Smith said, "but also in Universalist churches throughout New England."

The Smiths pored over hymnals and moldy, musty old books to research the selections for the concert, which will be narrated by the Rev. Marjorie Matty, who is the minister of First Universalist.

The concert will feature a small orchestra of flute, violin, piano and guitar.

"It's a musical history of our church," said Sarah Smith, who noted that many of the hymns reflect Universalist themes of social activism like abolitionism, anti-war activism and women's suffrage.

The concert is in celebration of the First Universalist Church's 200th birthday, which the First Universalist Society began celebrating in 2005 to honor the first gathering, on Christmas Eve 1805 in a living room on Lynde Street.

In 1809, the congregation hired its first minister and completed its meetinghouse on Bridge Street.

"Over the years, the church has been hugely important in this community," Sarah Smith said.

Church building highlights

A lot on St. Peter Street was donated to the First Universalist Society in 1806, but, being on "Prison Lane," it was deemed to be too close to the jail to be considered a "desirable place" for a church.

In July 1808, the lot was sold and the present site was purchased for $1,500.

At 6 a.m. on Aug. 17, 1808, the cornerstone was laid. Contracts were made for different parts of the building and "work was duly completed at a cost of $16,742."

71 proprietors paid for their pews

In early 1809, as the building neared completion, the society hired its first minister, the Rev. Edward Turner.

The building was dedicated on June 22, 1809. The founder of the Universalist denomination, the Rev. John Murray, offered a prayer at the ceremony.

Source: Excerpted from a historical address given by William D. Dennis, member of First Universalist, on June 22, 1909.

Want to go?

What: Concert of vocal and instrumental music from 1809 to the present

Where: First Universalist Society in Salem, 211 Bridge St.

When: Tomorrow, 4 p.m.

Admission: Free. Wheelchair-accessible.

Parking: In the city lot between Church and Federal streets. The church is accessible from Federal Street.

More information: Call 978-744-3224 or visit www.salemuu.org.