Christian Science Plaza
Christian Science Plaza
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Located in the heart of Back Bay, the Plaza is the largest privately owned, publicly accessible open space in Boston at about 13.5 acres. It was revitalized in 2018 to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable and to improve quality of life for the Boston community. It houses the Reflecting Pool and the Children’s Fountain. The Mother Church and The Christian Science Publishing Society are also located in this Plaza along with the new interactive experience at the Christian Science Publishing House, How Do You See the World?.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Symphony
How to get there
- Symphony • 4 min walk
- Hynes Convention Center • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
19 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
MaryH
1 contribution
Oct 2019 • Couples
Came here constantly as a child as my dad works around the corner. Loved it until the following incident: I was sitting across from my boyfriend, maybe 8 o’clock at night. Our (Very clothed) knees were touching. No funny business. Just talking. All of a sudden a man in a golf cart comes over and angrily tells us “that isn’t allowed here.” So, I would really like some clarification on what the rules are because it wasn’t a PDA of any kind. Ever since then I’ve felt kind of gross going back there :(
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Although I cannot tell from your post post what would have concerned security, I am certainly sorry the experience has left you feeling uncomfortable on the Christian Science Plaza. It's tough to suddenly associate negative feelings with a place you have always felt comfortable. I hope your many positive memories here help you fully enjoy the Plaza again. I know I am not alone saying that visitors' comments on the peaceful, safe, and welcoming atmosphere are one of the top things that inspire those who work here.
Written 23 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Federico P
San Miguel, Buenos aires, Argentina189 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I was taking pictures for myself of the plaza when a security guard warned me no to take pictures. I wasn’t aware it was forbidden. I thought it was a public square!.
Didn’t like the attitude and it’s the first time I’m told not to take pictures outside a building!. It’s absurd. I picked up my stuff and walked away.
Didn’t like the attitude and it’s the first time I’m told not to take pictures outside a building!. It’s absurd. I picked up my stuff and walked away.
Written 14 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting the Christian Science Plaza, we deeply apologize for your recent experience and are grateful that you shared a review online.
Our 13.5-acre campus is the largest privately owned and publicly accessible open space in Boston. Because it is privately owned, we allow photography on the Plaza for individual, personal use, but not for publication or commercial use.
We actively make sure that all people who represent the Plaza are trained to not just understand Plaza rules but also know how to kindly share them with guests. Your comment was shared with our security staff so we can learn from the situation and retrain staff as needed.
If you have further questions, a full list of the Property rules can be found here: https://www.christianscience.com/find-us/visit-the-mother-church/visit-the-christian-science-plaza/property-rules-the-christian-science-plaza.
We hope you will return to the Christian Science Plaza someday soon.
Written 23 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dompub
Houston, TX3 contributions
Jul 2023
Management Team!
Please train your one specific security guard if you really want to welcome people. There was no sign of “photography not allowed” yet I was harassed by a security guard who repeatedly asked me why I want to take the picture of this private property. He then drove his goftcar around and put an eye on me. May be he is doing his job per management direction?
Frankly I got more comfortable when I took the pictures of the Moscow red square in 2015.
I abandoned my plan to go inside and left. Will never visit this place again.
Please train your one specific security guard if you really want to welcome people. There was no sign of “photography not allowed” yet I was harassed by a security guard who repeatedly asked me why I want to take the picture of this private property. He then drove his goftcar around and put an eye on me. May be he is doing his job per management direction?
Frankly I got more comfortable when I took the pictures of the Moscow red square in 2015.
I abandoned my plan to go inside and left. Will never visit this place again.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mirtha M
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
After doing the tour of the church and visiting the “How do you see the world” CS Monitor exhibition, I spent sometime in this plaza. It is a beautiful area, very peaceful and t’s been really taken care of. I really enjoyed my visit, totally recommended.
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rattacasal
11 contributions
Aug 2019
Initially a friend and I went to see the globe in the Mary Baker Eddy Museum. There's a glass globe that was created around 1935. The tour goes into the globe and the creation of it is discussed.
Then we went to the large Church next door - with an organ with 13000 (I think) pipes. Beautiful.
And then the original, smaller church with a smaller organ - also beautiful
Then we went to the large Church next door - with an organ with 13000 (I think) pipes. Beautiful.
And then the original, smaller church with a smaller organ - also beautiful
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LongIslandGirl
Deer Park, NY654 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
This was a delightful day, I didn’t know much about Christian SCIENTISTS but they do wonderful work. Even the people working in the building are super nice and welcoming. We went into the mappology room where they have a map of the world in stained glass in the shape of the world. It was magnificent, and you can see how much the world has changed.
Written 20 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,223 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The two parts to include in your visit are the exhibits and museum in the welcome center - free, and the tour of the church. The exhibits are very well done, describing the founding, history and beliefs of the church. The tour of the church is conducted by members and is also very informative in beautiful surroundings. Skip the mapparium, a gimmick of no informational value.
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,830 contributions
Jan 2020
A big open plaza in the center of the city with the iconic temple. This is a Boston institution, but the plaza is not the prettiest place in town. Kind of cold.
Written 7 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Sept 2019
Between the security fencing, the joists, hoists, workers, barriers, and assorted construction equipment, this certainly had every earmark of "closed" written largely across its facade. I can't even imagine the insurance liability the General Contractor would feel comfortable assuming for anyone venturing into the site right at this time (mid-September). The security vehicle parked at the entry to the plaza was somewhat intimidating.
This is the mother-church, the world-wide headquarters for the Christian Science Church. It is a Boston landmark. It is one big humdinger. The "Plaza" sits on 13.5 acres and the buildings compose about 3 acres of that space. The original church dates back to 1894 and the beautiful signature dome was erected in 1906.
Judging from this magnificent display of over-the-top impressiveness, it would be safe to assume the church is doing quite well.
The beautiful Boston Symphony Hall (not quite as grand) sits right next door.
This is the mother-church, the world-wide headquarters for the Christian Science Church. It is a Boston landmark. It is one big humdinger. The "Plaza" sits on 13.5 acres and the buildings compose about 3 acres of that space. The original church dates back to 1894 and the beautiful signature dome was erected in 1906.
Judging from this magnificent display of over-the-top impressiveness, it would be safe to assume the church is doing quite well.
The beautiful Boston Symphony Hall (not quite as grand) sits right next door.
Written 6 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your visit. All public buildings on The Christian Science Plaza remain open 7 days a week, as they have throughout construction. We have actually seen increased visitation for both Church Tours and Mapparium during this time.
Written 11 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MikeBirdman
Acton, MA1,082 contributions
Aug 2019
The plaza is being renovated so is not currently at its best. I did go into the church and the staff and volunteers are very friendly. The church is apparently designed based on Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. Is a beautiful space with a huge organ. Is also being renovated but the inside is unaffected by this.
Written 15 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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