Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
21 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
22 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
25 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Massachusetts Boston The First Church of Christ, Scientist

The First Church of Christ, Scientist

This impressive Boston holy house is the American mecca for Christian scientists.

Boston, Massachusetts

Added By
jekahben
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Mother Church   jekahben / Atlas Obscura User
The Mother Church   jekahben / Atlas Obscura User
The Mother Church   jekahben / Atlas Obscura User
Reflecting Pool and Fountain   jekahben / Atlas Obscura User
Reflecting pool and The Mother Church   jekahben / Atlas Obscura User
The First Church of Christ, Scientist   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
  MtnLady / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Christian Science Plaza is a 14-acre site that is home to the headquarters of the Church of Christian Science, founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879.

The Plaza holds many buildings, the oldest being the original Mother Church of Christian Science which was built in 1894. The larger extension to the Original Mother Church was built in 1904 and collectively the two buildings are considered the First Church Of Christ, Scientist or simply, "The Mother Church." The Church has daily tours. The extension houses one of the world's largest pipe organs and sometimes there are free concerts. Even if you cannot get inside, a walk around the exterior of the Original Mother Church will show you some wonderful stained glass windows.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library, which houses the archives and a small museum of the founder is also part of the Plaza, as well as the world-famous Mapparium. Other buildings that used to be the headquarters of the Christian Science Monitor and other arms of the Christian Science Publishing Society but some of these buildings are now used by other businesses.

The Plaza includes a colonnade, a 670-foot reflecting pool and a fountain, the latter is often used by youngsters in the summer to keep cool.

Related Tags

Churches Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

See its website for details about visiting. You can visit the church for a free tour daily or for free organ concerts every other month, starting in February. Easy access on the MBTA via Symphony Station on the E line.

Community Contributors

Added By

jekahben

Edited By

PrestonW, mcnicholt, blimpcaptain, MtnLady

  • PrestonW
  • mcnicholt
  • blimpcaptain
  • MtnLady

Published

December 5, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://christianscience.com/church-of-christ-scientist/the-mother-church-in-boston-ma-usa/explore-the-christian-science-plaza/plaza-architecture-and-grounds
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Church_of_Christ,_Scientist
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
250 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
United States
42.344382, -71.085663
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Mapparium Globe

Boston, Massachusetts

miles away

Fenway Victory Gardens

Boston, Massachusetts

miles away

Kelleher Rose Garden

Boston, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Boston

Boston

Massachusetts

Places 127
Stories 35

Nearby Places

Mapparium Globe

Boston, Massachusetts

miles away

Fenway Victory Gardens

Boston, Massachusetts

miles away

Kelleher Rose Garden

Boston, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Boston

Boston

Massachusetts

Places 127
Stories 35

Related Places

  • Church of the Good Shepherd

    Lullington, England

    Lullington Church of the Good Shepherd

    This tiny church is one of England's smallest.

  • St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Dunsfold

    Dunsfold, England

    St Mary's and All Saints Church & Holy Well

    An ancient yew tree and holy well nestle beside a remarkable 13th-century church.

  • Entrance of the church.

    Viana do Castelo, Portugal

    Santuário do Sagrado Coração de Jesus

    An icon of the city, this chapel features an amazing dome ceiling and offers panoramic views.

  • Chapel on the Dunes

    Port Aransas, Texas

    Chapel on the Dunes

    The oldest functional consecrated church on Mustang Island.

  • Mantua Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Pietro)

    Mantua, Italy

    Mantua Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Pietro)

    The seat of the Mantua bishop holds many secrets within its walls.

  • Plaisance Ward, Seychelles

    Abandoned Church

    In the middle of a busy residential neighborhood, a small roofless church being reclaimed by nature.

  • Saint John Maroon Church

    Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Saint John Maroon Church

    One of the most important Krio heritage sites in the country.

  • Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Peneda

    São Bento do Canto, Portugal

    Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Peneda

    This chapel is the site of a yearly pilgrimage that originated during the Middle Ages.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.