Christian Science Center facts for kids

(left) The First Church of Christ, Scientist, reflecting pool, and (right) 177 Huntington Avenue, a tall building that used to be the church's main office

The Christian Science Center is a large area in Boston, Massachusetts. It covers about 13.5 acres (5.5 hectares). This popular spot is located where Massachusetts Avenue and Huntington Avenue meet, in the Fenway neighborhood.

The center is owned by the Church of Christ, Scientist, often called the Christian Science church. They also call it the Christian Science Plaza. In 2011, this whole area, including its beautiful outdoor spaces, was named a Boston Landmark. This means it's an important historical and cultural site in Boston.

The Christian Science Center is home to the church's main offices. It also has their most important church, called The First Church of Christ, Scientist.

What You'll Find at the Christian Science Center

The Christian Science Center has a lot of open space, about 10.4 acres (4.2 hectares). It features a very long reflecting pool, which is like a calm, shallow pond that mirrors the buildings around it. This pool is about 690 feet (210 meters) long and 100 feet (30 meters) wide. There's also a fun fountain for children.

The center includes six main buildings:

The Mother Church Buildings

• The First Church of Christ, Scientist: This is the main church building at 250 Massachusetts Avenue. It's actually made up of two parts. The original Mother Church was built in 1894. A larger part, called the Church Extension, was added in 1906.

Publishing House and Library

• Christian Science Publishing House: Built in 1934, this building is at 200–210 Massachusetts Avenue. It was first used for the Christian Science Publishing Society. Today, it also holds the Mary Baker Eddy Library, which is a library and museum. You can also find the famous The Christian Science Monitor newspaper here, along with the church's main offices.

Modern Buildings from the 1970s

Three more buildings were added in the 1970s. They were designed by Araldo Cossutta from I. M. Pei & Associates. These buildings helped make the center even bigger:

• Reflection Hall: This building was finished in 1971. It used to be the Sunday School building. It's located at 235 Huntington Avenue, right at one end of the reflecting pool.
• The Colonnade building: Built in 1972, this building is at 101 Belvidere Street.
• 177 Huntington: This tall, 26-story building was also finished in 1972. It was once the main office building for the church. In 2008, the church offices moved to the Christian Science Publishing House. Now, 177 Huntington is rented out to other businesses for office space.

Gallery

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  The First Church of Christ, Scientist and (left) Reflection Hall

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  Mother Church, Colonnade building, reflecting pool

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  (left) Colonnade building and (right) 177 Huntington Avenue, former administration building

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  (left) the Mother Church, reflecting pool and (right) 177 Huntington Avenue

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  Christian Science Publishing House

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  Mary Baker Eddy Library, part of Christian Science Publishing House

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  Reflection Hall (1973). Originally named the "Sunday School Building"