First Church of Christ, Scientist

Gazing upon the First Church of Christ, Scientist, one might initially overlook the original Mother Church. It’s dwarfed by its grand extension. The First Church of Christ, Scientist sits within the Christian Science Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts. This plaza isn’t just any city square. It’s a 13.5-acre testament to a faith born in the 19th century. This faith, Christian Science, found its voice through Mary Baker Eddy. Her book, “Science and Health,” published in 1875, laid the foundation for this unique spiritual movement. The original Mother Church building, designed by Franklin I. Welch, opened its doors in December 1894. This marked a significant milestone, just eight years after the very first Christian Science church was built in Oconto, Wisconsin. That initial church was a testament to the dedication of local women who found solace and healing in Eddy’s teachings. The original Mother Church, built in the Romanesque Revival style, was an impressive structure for its time. Its 126-foot steeple reached towards the heavens. The octagonal auditorium welcomed 900 worshippers. The church, constructed from granite sourced from Eddy’s home state of New Hampshire, stood as a symbol of her New England roots. But the story of the First Church of Christ, Scientist doesn’t end there. The congregation thrived and soon outgrew their beloved first church. Between 1904 and 1906, a magnificent domed extension took shape beside the original structure. Initially designed by Charles Brigham, the extension underwent significant modifications under the guidance of S.S. Beman. Beman stepped in after Brigham’s illness. He refined the design, minimizing Byzantine influences and embracing a neoclassical aesthetic. This style became the architectural hallmark of Christian Science churches. Within the Mother Church Extension resides a true marvel. One of the world’s largest pipe organs, crafted by the Aeolian-Skinner Company of Boston in 1952, fills the sanctuary with its majestic sound. The sanctuary itself, located on the second floor, can accommodate 3,000 people, a testament to the growth of the church. Today, the First Church of Christ, Scientist stands as a beacon of faith and a remarkable piece of architectural history.