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 very old and important church building in Boston, Massachusetts. It's located on Newbury Street in a neighborhood called Back Bay. This church is so special that it's been named a National Historic Landmark. It was built a long time ago, between 1865 and 1867, by a group called the Central Congregational Church. Today, it's connected to both the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ. A famous architect named Richard M. Upjohn designed the church, and its beautiful inside decorations were mostly created by Tiffany & Co., a well-known company.

A Look Back in Time
Gallery of Interior Views
See Also

A Look Back in Time

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

Who Designed This Amazing Church?

The church was designed by Richard M. Upjohn. His father, Richard Upjohn, was also a famous architect. Richard M. Upjohn wanted a "high gothic edifice" that no regular house could be taller than. The church has a very tall steeple, about 240 feet (73 meters) high. This steeple is even taller than the Bunker Hill Monument! A famous writer named Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that the steeple of this church was "absolutely perfect."

Beautiful Inside: Tiffany & Co.

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

How the Church Got Its Name

The church is located at 67 Newbury Street. For many years, it was known as the "Central Church." But in 1932, the Central Congregational Church joined with the First Presbyterian Church of Boston. This merger created the "Church of the Covenant." Today, it is part of both the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ.

Protecting History: A National Landmark

In 1966, the Back Bay historic district was created. This district helps protect old buildings in the area from being changed too much on the outside. The Church of the Covenant is one of these protected buildings. In October 2012, the church building was officially named a National Historic Landmark. This special title was given because of its unique and beautiful interior decorations.

The Church on the Big Screen

In 1999, the Church of the Covenant was used as a filming location for the start of the movie Boondock Saints. In the movie, two brothers, Connor and Murphy MacManus, attend a church service. The film crew needed to find a church that would allow them to film inside. The Church of the Covenant gave them permission. It's interesting to know that the large crucifix seen in the movie was actually built just for the film and is not a permanent part of the church.