Trinity Church in the city of Boston

It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of Copley Square’s Trinity Church in the city of Boston, crafted by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and the only church in the country that has been honored as one of the "Ten Most Significant Buildings in the United States" by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

In fact, the famous Episcopal church, unveiled in 1877 after its former site burned in the Great Boston Fire of 1872, was so sublime that the architects behind the neighboring John Hancock building decided to make its windows reflective so it would enhance the Back Bay landmark’s “Richardsonian Romanesque” architecture.

Revered artist John La Farge oversaw the interior painted decoration during a five-month period and executed most of the figure paintings and murals, which cover over 20,000 square feet of the church and were completely crafted by American artists. Trinity also boasts a stunning collection of stained-glass windows, representing a variety of methods and materials.  The Copley Square building is a modified Greek Cross, with its four arms extending from the structure's 211-foot tall central tower.

Worship services are held Sundays all year, and midweek services are held September through June. Trinity is an Episcopal Church within the Church of England’s Anglican Communion. Services are Sunday at 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.

A must-see stop for out-of-towners attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year, Trinity Church is open for touring and is available for self-guided treks that include their detailed map Mon.-Sat. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 1-6 p.m.  Additionally, guided tours are offered on an almost daily basis. The cost is $6 per person with children under 16 admitted free with an accompanying adult. Tours begin at the Shop at Trinity, which is open Sun.-Fri. from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

There’s a lot to experience outside of Trinity Church, including the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens' statue paying homage to Rector Phillips Brooks (1835–1893), one of the church’s founding fathers and a well-respected clergyman of his time. There’s also a beautiful garden with a brick walkway in the rear of the building, where locals escape from the hustle and bustle of Copley Square to experience a few moments of serenity. Also, it’s awe-inspiring to look at the church’s reflection in the windows of the John Hancock building. The sight is a visual juxtaposition where old-school architecture meets modern design.

HelloMetro Tip: A free tour is offered every Sunday directly following the 11:15 a.m. service and meets in front of the Eagle Lectern immediately after the service has concluded.

- by Sam Baltrusis, Boston Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Sam Baltrusis

Sam Baltrusis has worked for WHDH.com, Spike-TV, VH1, Independent News, Seventeen, Newsweek, and as a regional stringer for The New York Times. He's currently a full-time freelance editor and writer in Boston, where he's an instructor for Mediabistro.com and contributes to various regional publications including Boston Spirit Magazine. Sam also publishes a successful pop culture site, LoadedGunBoston.com, and was recently featured on WCVB-TV's "Chronicle" and Boston's NPR affiliate WBUR.