The Christian Science Plaza

The organ was so awesome! Four levels and lots of knobs. They don’t preform weddings or funerals the have a committee to read bible verses and the inside is huge!

Picture this: you are trapped in the urban jungle. It is hot, sunny, and you just want a break from all of the drab concrete, bill boards, and constant hum of motor vehicles. You turn the corner on Dalton Street, and see an urban oasis.
Children laugh, and run through a water fountain. Their parents look on from an encircling, concrete bench as their kid runs up, and asks for money for the nearby iced cream truck. Not far off, a huge reflecting pool shine up back at the sun as pedestrians stroll, pose for pictures, and sun bathe right in the heart of Boston. Watchful Christian Science attendees monitor the proceedings to keep every one safe. When you get hot, there is a shady row of trees to stroll through, and you can always retreat indoors, because you are never more than a few yards from all of that urban living.
Despite how close this park is to heavily trafficked streets, it never seems too busy, or loud. You mainly hear the sounds of the fountain spray, and laughing children. Walk a little further to the reflecting pool, and you can barely hear any thing, just the sound of a quiet, relaxing environment. To top it all off, the Christian scientists open up their private property to the public for free. You can not beat that.

Lovely architecture and a really nice pool with fountains. I am giving it ³⁄₅ rather than ⁴⁄₅ just because I have not ventured into the actual buildings since I am not too familiar with Christian Science. Otherwise a nice place for a stroll.

As far as a church or any religious institution’s outreach to tourists and seekers, this is a well-​oiled and well-​run program. The architecture and grounds are stunning.
Inside the church, we joined a free 30-​minute tour with a fun and informative guide. The first thing she said was, «Christian Science is NOT Scientology.» An important distinction.
They also have a music series called «Pipes on the Plaza» featuring FREE midday organ concerts at the mother church every other month. Concert dates and details are announced at
Paid parking is available in the underground garage.

Politics and spirituals aside, this area makes for a very nice respite.

I walk through here on occasion and it’s just a really relaxing place. Lots of benches, and during lunchtime there are food trucks parked between here and the Pru.

Great place to sit and enjoy lunch with friends when the weather permits. Don’t go wading in the fountains as security gets upset, but definitely stroll around/​through the plaza when in the area.

Amazing architectural structure! A must see if you have time. The history behind this church’s founder is a remarkable story. I’m just really astounded by the magnificence of this building. Entering the church is FREE, and admission to the Mapparium is also FREE if you’re military. The Mapparium is a must see. Great experience.

This is my favorite place in all of Boston, and always has been in the 8 years I’ve lived here.
I love it so much I once bought a photoshoot to get some nice photos of myself here. Turns out, even with a fancy photographer, I still hate the way I look and so I threw the CD away with all the photos because unfortunately, I was in all of them.
Minus one star for the overzealous security. My poor dog tried to get a sippy sip of some nice E-​Coli water from the reflection pool and we were told to stop. «Let’s keep the dog out of the pool,» I was scolded.
I know he’s just doing his job but how come you can smoke crack here and nod off standing up as the heroin slowly sleeps through your veins, but my dog can’t have a sippy of your plentiful water?
SAD FACE AND DOG HAS SADDER FACE.

I came in the winter, so of course there wasn’t much to see. The Church is still a stunning work of art though, and if you use your imagination and/​or google the place, you can get an idea of what it would look like with the water in the fountain and green grass and stuff. I’m not the religious type, but I can still appreciate the architecture of the buildings.

I didn’t see Tom Cruise or John Travolta during my recent visit, but I think Greta Van Susteren was there interviewing L. Ron Hubbard near the reflection pool… oh wait, that’s Scientology — a different cult.
Anyhow, cool old building and neat reflection pool. For me, the religion is a bit strange… eschew the use of medicine? I don’t get it.
The best I can do is 3.5 stars.

Beautiful nook in Boston. The reflecting pool is the center of attention all day. I love running through the fountain during the summer. Great place to just grab a book and see water marvels against fantastic architecture. Almost doesn’t feel like it’s Boston. 1 less star as my photographer and I got rudely scolded by a member of the church for taking pictures out in the other side. We had no idea pictures weren’t allowed there (no signs) and he could have approached us better than that.

A great place to sit and read a book. The grounds are well kept and it’s a sight to see ! The water fountain they have is a perfect place to cool off in the hot city summer days, the pool is very calming and the art installations they recently had added a great touch to this place.
On Sundays at 10 am there’s worship service and even some guided tours of Mary Baker Eddie who was definitely a pioneer in her time for her scientific approach to the Bible. This place is a gem of the city!

The grounds outside the Christian Science Church are absolutely gorgeous, and immaculately well-​kept and clean. If you want to go somewhere peaceful and fairly quiet just to relax, this is your spot. It’s also a great place for a walk or to sit and read. The reflecting pool, with plants and flowers adding to the scenery, is simply beautiful. The only sounds you hear are that of the water fountain on the other side of the pool, and the occasional shouts from kids playing in it. All of the traffic and hustle and bustle seem far away. It’s so tranquil, it is easy to forget you’re in the middle of Boston. Well, except for the Pru and all those other buildings in the background.
Take 30 minutes out of your day to come and relax here, and I promise all of your troubles will seem far away.

One of the best outdoor public areas in Boston, excellently maintained.
For those of you who do not know, this is an example of «urban renewal» done right., and many brick structures were demolished in order to create this space. The strip of grass that parallels Mass Ave for example was a row of such brick residences, and they obstructed the view of the Mother Church.
So although Urban Renewal destroyed Scollay Square and The West End only to replace them with dreck, here we got a Gem.

This place is awesome. Gorgeous architecture with the main museum and the pool designed so water flows equally off all it’s edges at all times… except for windy and really hot days :(
And I also like the water shooting out part with kids running around in it. And when I say kids, I mean me.

The plaza is a pleasant open area, but it’s hard to ignore the fact it’s built by a church that has been responsible in propagating dangerous ignorance, claiming that prayer is more effective than vaccines, medicine, and surgery.

One of the best places to enjoy the scenery in Boston. Not to be missed!

Even though I have been in Boston for a while. I did not know about this place until the end of summer.
I have never actually been in any of the buildings. but the reflecting pool and surrounding buildings are lovely. It may be a different story when it’s cold and freezing… but in the summer, it’s nice.
We grabbed some cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and plopped ourselves by the pool. Really nice. pretty romantic. a nice spot to go and pretty central in Boston to Copley/​Prudential area.

Put the kids (of all ages) into the swim suits and head to the water sprinklers!
On a hot day in the city there is no better place to cool off and take in the views than at the Christian Science Church.
You can relax while gazing at the looking pool while the little ones splash about.

The Christian Science Center campus is one of the most beautiful and peaceful open spaces in the city. Boston (and the Back Bay in particular) would certainly feel different in its absence.
Everybody talks about the Maparium, but I was lucky enough to be given a private viewing of The Apiary by glass artist Dale Chihuly which is now open to the public (July 2011) which is simply spectacular. Hands-​down it is the best permanent glass art installation in the Northeast.

I love the Christian Science Church grounds in the summer time.
The area is very well kept, even with the crowd of students having lunch on the grass in front of the church. The reflecting pool is wonderful to just walk around, holding hands with your significant other. Or even just sit on the stones surrounding the pool.
Every time we go to a show at the Symphony. we park at the garage at the Christian Science Parking and take a stroll around the grounds.
The architecture is gorgeous. We haven’t done the tour inside but I’ve heard great things about it. A Must See when you come to Boston.