Boston has a knack for creating curious visual
juxtapositions, and one of the most remarkable is in Copley Square,
where H. H. Richardson’s 19th-century Romanesque Trinity Church reflects
in the blue-tinted glass of the decidedly 20th-century John Hancock
Tower. The breathtakingly beautiful church was named a National Historic
Landmark in 1971 and has earned the American Institute of Architects’
distinction of being among the ten greatest buildings in the country.
206 Clarendon St “T” station: Copley Sq (green line) & Back Bay (orange line) 617 536 0944 (church)
www.trinityboston.org
Church open for self-tours 9am–5:30pm Mon–Sat, 1pm–5pm Sun Bookstore Open 9am–6pm Sun–Fri, 9am–5pm Sat Adm: $6 (tours: $6)
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One of Boston’s most cherished traditions is the singing of Handel’s Messiah
and its unmistakable “Hallelujah Chorus” at Trinity during the
Christmas season. Hundreds pack the sanctuary to experience the choir’s
ethereal, masterful treatment of the piece. Call 617 536 0944 for
performance information.
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Church Floorplan
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Grab a quick bite at the Prudential Center food court, just two blocks away ( 800 Boylston St ).
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From September to June organ recitals are held every Friday, 12:15–12:45pm. By donation.
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Please remember that Trinity Church is a place of worship.
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Tours of the church are available and begin in the bookstore on the Boylston Street side of the complex.
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Top 10 FeaturesLa Farge Windows A newcomer to stained glasswork at the time, John La Farge approached his commissions (like Christ in Majesty) with the same sense of daring and vitality that Richardson employed in his Trinity design. Burne-Jones Windows Edward
Burne-Jones’ windows – on the Boylston Street side – were inspired by
the burgeoning English Arts & Crafts Movement. Its influence is
readily apparent in his David’s Charge to Solomon with its bold patterning and colors.
Central Tower The
church’s central tower borrows its square design from the Cathedral of
Salamanca, Spain. On the interior, wall paintings by La Farge depicting
biblical figures in vibrant hues are in sharp contrast to the austere
church interiors of the artist’s day. Front Façade & Side Towers Inspired
by the Romanesque church of St Trophime in Arles, France, Richardson
redesigned Trinity’s front portico as well as two new side towers. The
additions were implemented by his firm of architects some years after
his death in the 1890s.
Trinity Church façade
Organ Pipes The
beautiful organ pipes frame the church’s west wall. Exquisitely
designed, ornately painted, and – of course – very sonorous, the pipes
seem to hug the church’s ceiling arches. Phillips Brooks’ Bust Keeping
watch over the baptismal font is Rector Brooks. Renowned for his
sermons – bold, forthright, and fresh for their time – he was rector at
Trinity from 1869–91. Pulpit Carving Preachers
throughout the ages, including St Paul, Martin Luther, and Phillips
Brooks of Trinity are depicted in high relief on the pulpit designed by
Charles Coolidge. Embroidered Kneelers Trinity’s
colorful kneelers have been stitched by parishioners in memory of
people and events past. They serve as an informal, folk history of the
congregation. Bookstore Apart
from the requisite Christian literature and Bibles, the bookstore also
sells high-quality replicas of designs that appear throughout the
church. The Foundation As
part of 34-year-old Richardson’s daring plan, the first of 4,500 wooden
support pilings for the church was driven into the spongy Back Bay
landfill in 1873. Rev. Phillips Brooks laid the cornerstone two years
later.
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