To close out Preservation Month, we wanted to highlight our recent experience at The First Church of Christ, Scientist. We sat down with Principal and Senior Project Manager Christopher Lane to discuss his work on this iconic Boston landmark.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, located at the Christian Science Center Plaza in Boston, includes the Romanesque Revival Mother Church Original (1894) and the Neoclassical Mother Church Extension (1906). The 192,000 square foot structure underwent extensive restoration, including repairs to the ornate dome 200 feet above ground and the installation of a custom stainless steel cable system to support a terra cotta rainscreen. This multi-phased project, spanning over eight years, added more than 100 years to the building’s lifespan. Finegold Alexander Architects collaborated closely with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), the building envelope and structural engineer, for the exterior restoration, while Shawmut Design and Construction served as the construction manager, tasked with restoring the building to its original vision while leaving no trace of the extensive work completed. Christopher shared some of his favorite memories from the project and provided an overview of the complex work the team encountered while upgrading this historic structure.

Watch the full video below!