Finegold Alexander is thrilled to be featured in Boston Magazine for our extensive restoration work at The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in collaboration with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and Shawmut Design and Construction. Principals Regan Shields Ives and Christopher Lane shared insights into the challenges and rewards of working on this iconic Boston landmark.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist - The Mother Church sits at the center of the Christian Science Center Plaza, the largest privately owned, publicly accessible open space in the City of Boston. Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) was the building envelope and structural engineer for the restoration of the building exterior, while Finegold Alexander Architects served as the architect for the interior restoration work. Shawmut Design and Construction served as the construction manager, tasked with implementing the preservation work to restore the building to its original vision while leaving behind no trace of the extensive work that was completed. 

“The goal of the restoration was to make it look like we had never been there—to leave no trace. The church understood that this is an iconic property, that it’s important not just to them, but to the heart of Boston.”

      - Regan Shields Ives, Finegold Alexander Principal

One of the final stages involved the intricate repair of decorative rosettes, plaster, and paneling in the majestic dome of the Mother Church Extension. Accessing this area required scaffolding, giving the team a rare opportunity to experience the sheer scale of the building. 

“Standing at the top of a dome with your head in the oculus is not something you get to do unless a building like this is being extensively repaired. You can’t comprehend the scale of it unless you are actually there—it’s pretty amazing.”

      - Christopher Lane, Finegold Alexander, Principal

Click here to read the full Boston Magazine article!