Boston Strolls - Boston 2009 - page 189

8 Exeter Street Theater
Designed in 1884 as the First Spiritualist
Temple, it was a movie house from 1914
to 1984. Once known for the crowds
flocking to The Rocky Horror Picture
Show, it now houses offices and a TGI
Friday's restaurant.
When you're ready to continue your stroll (or
when your credit cards cry for mercy), turn back
toward the Public Garden and seek out three
of Newbury Street's oldest buildings, starting
with the:
9 Church of the Covenant
This Gothic revival edifice at 67 New-
bury St. was designed by Richard Upjohn
and completed in 1867. The stained-glass
windows are the work of Louis Comfort
Tiffany.
Across the street, set back from the sidewalk at
234 Berkeley St., an opulent store occupies an
opulent setting. Now the clothing emporium
Louis Boston, this is the original home of the:
0 Boston Museum of
Natural History
A forerunner of the Museum of Science,
it was built according to William Pre-
ston's French Academic design. The 1864
structure, originally two stories high, still
has its original roof, preserved when the
building gained a third floor.
Cross Newbury Street again and continue walk-
ing toward the Public Garden. On your left, at
15 Newbury St., is:
! Emmanuel Church
The first building completed on New-
bury Street, in 1862, this Episcopal church
ministers through the arts, so there might
be a concert (classical to jazz, solo to

orchestral) going on during your visit.
Check ahead ( & 617/536-3355; www.
emmanuel-boston.org) for schedules.
Now you're almost back at the Public
Garden. On your left is the swanky Taj
Boston hotel, which until 2007 was
known as the original Ritz-Carlton
(1927).
Turn right onto Arlington Street and walk 1
block. On your right, at 351 Boylston St., is the:
@ Arlington Street Church
This is the oldest church in the Back Bay,
completed in 1861. An interesting blend
of Georgian and Italianate details, it's the
work of architect Arthur Gilman, who
laid out this whole neighborhood. Here
you'll find more Tiffany stained glass.
Step inside to see the pulpit that was in
use in 1788 when the congregation wor-
shipped downtown on Federal Street.
Follow Boylston Street away from the Public
Garden. Two blocks up is:
# Copley Square
Enjoy the fountain and visit the farmers'
market, which operates Tuesday and Fri-
day afternoons from July through
November.
Overlooking the square is one of the most
famous church buildings in the United States.
This is:
$ Trinity Church
H. H. Richardson's Romanesque master-
piece, completed in 1877, is to your left.
The church, 206 Clarendon St. ( & 617/
536-0944; www.trinitychurchboston.
org), was built on 4,502 pilings driven
into the mud that was once the Back Bay.

The Shape of Things to Come
The First Baptist Church is a fine building, but the design is notable mainly
because its creators went on to much more famous projects. The architect, H.
H. Richardson, is best known for nearby Trinity Church. The artist who created
the frieze, which represents the sacraments, was Fredéric Auguste Bartholdi,
who designed the Statue of Liberty.

Fun Fact