Church of the Covenant (Boston) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Central Congregational Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
U.S. Historic district Contributing property


Location	67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Built	1867
Part of	Back Bay Historic District (ID73001948)
NRHP reference No.	12001012
Added to NRHP	October 17, 2012
Designated NHL	October 17, 2012
Designated CP	August 14, 1973

The Church of the Covenant is a historic church located at 67 Newbury Street in the Back Bay area of Boston, Massachusetts. It is a very important building, recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The church was built between 1865 and 1867. It was originally known as the Central Congregational Church. Today, it is connected with both the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ. The famous architect Richard M. Upjohn designed the church. Its unique inside look was mostly created by Tiffany & Co..

History of the Church of the Covenant
Gallery of interior views
See also

History of the Church of the Covenant

Building the Church

The Church of the Covenant was built using a special type of rock called Roxbury puddingstone. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style, which looks like old European cathedrals. This church was one of the first to move into the new Back Bay area of Boston. Much of the money to build it came from Benjamin E. Bates, a businessman who also started Bates College.

The architect, Richard M. Upjohn, wanted a very tall church. He said it should be "a high gothic edifice ... which no ordinary dwelling house would overtop." The church has a steeple that is about 240 feet (73 meters) tall. This steeple is even taller than the Bunker Hill Monument. A famous writer, Oliver Wendell Holmes, once said the steeple was "absolutely perfect."

Tiffany's Beautiful Decorations

In the 1890s, the inside of the church was redecorated. This work was done by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Co.. They added beautiful stained-glass windows and mosaics. They also designed a special electric light chandelier. This chandelier was made by Tiffany's artist Jacob Adolphus Holzer for a big event called the World's Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893.

Name Change and Landmark Status

The church is located at 67 Newbury Street. It was called the "Central Church" until 1932. That year, the Central Congregational Church joined with the First Presbyterian Church of Boston. This created the new "Church of the Covenant." Today, it is part of both the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ.

In 1966, the Back Bay area became a historic district. This means that buildings inside it, like this church, are protected from big changes to their outside appearance. In October 2012, the church building was named a National Historic Landmark. It received this honor because of its very special and unique interior decorations.

Filming Location for a Movie

In 1999, the Church of the Covenant was used as a filming location. It was the setting for the opening scene of the movie Boondock Saints. In the movie, two brothers, Connor and Murphy MacManus, are shown in a church. Finding a church that would allow filming inside was difficult. The movie company finally got permission from the Church of the Covenant. It's important to know that this church is not a Catholic church. The large crucifix seen in the movie was built just for the film.