04 Sep exterior detail survey of hugh garden-designed third church of christ scientist (1899-1901)
late summer 2025 detail images of hugh garden’s richly ornamented glazed terra cotta third church of christ scientist (1899-1901) located at 2151 w. washington blvd., chicago, il.
further reading:
in january, 1899 a building committee made up of trustees of the first, second, and third christian science congregations of chicago was convened to consider sites and plans for two new church buildings. the commission notices, published in the april 15, 1899 edition of the american contractor, announced that solon s. beman had prepared plans for the second church, to be built at wrightwood and pine grove avenues on the northside, and that hugh m. g. garden had “prepared competitive plans which have been accepted” for the third church.
the third church of christ, scientist of chicago is, at 93 by 120 feet in plan, the largest religious structure built after a design by garden. the church was constructed in a residential area that had been developed during the 1880s and 1890s with middle-class brick and stone single-family and two-flat rowhouses. excavation was started on october 11, 1899, less than a year after the congregation was established; the cornerstone was laid with a ceremony on july 31, 1900, and the building was dedicated with four services on july 14, 1901. the cost of the land, the building, its organ and furnishings was estimated at $120,000 and, in compliance with christian science practice, the dedication was made only when the church was free of mortgage debt.
the church is a three-story, masonry bearing-wall structure. its principal facade faces washington boulevard to the north and its west elevation faces leavitt street the south side of the building fronts on an alley, and the east side is presently abutted by a recent two-story brick religious school and hall. all of its exterior walls were finished with white glazed brick manufactured by the tiffany enameled brick company, and the window and door frames, column capitals, cornices, and other decorative details were rendered in cream-colored glazed terra cotta fabricated by the american terra cotta company, chicago, il.