"The Judson" has long been a gathering place for the Village and indeed the whole City: as an arts pioneer, Judson Dance Theater invented post-modern dance and Judson Poets Theater was one of the 3 venues that started Off-Off-Broadway.

Moreover, it has a proud history as a social justice pioneer with the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion pre-Roe v. Wade, AIDS support, etc. Judson continues that history, now presenting Judson Arts Wednesdays for emerging artists in theater, dance, music, performance art; and hosting the interfaith New Sanctuary Coalition that works with immigrants fighting deportation.

Judson's building is a New York City, New York State, and National Landmark for its architecture and collection (the largest anywhere) of 14-ft tall stained glass windows by John LaFarge, plus a rose window by Maitland Anderson, and a bas-relief altarpiece (often mistakenly attributed to St. Gaudens) by Herbert Adams, then the head of Pratt Institute sculpture department.

Judson also houses three worshiping congregations on Sundays.