> One understands better the logic of the apparently paradoxical “New Old South” to place the church on Copley Square, when one knows that there was built, in 1814, by Charles Bulfinch, as a finishing touch to the locality for which he had done so much, the New South Church, on Church Green, at the junction of Summer and Bedford streets. The church was built of the hammered Chelmsford granite, then coming into vogue, and partly on account of its fine masonry, but chiefly for its richness of design and interior, was considered the handsomest of Bulfinch’s efforts in this line. Its octagonal plan offered an amusing variety in construction, and its portico of Doric columns, its storied steeple culminating in a lofty and graceful spire gave a new note of elegance to one of the older residential streets of Boston. Lined with handsome residences shaded by tall trees, Summer Street in those days presented the typical umbrageous vista of the New England town. The ground was high and level, and at the end of the street, beyond the church, could be seen the harbour. In 1868 business having crowded out the old houses and dissipated the congregation, the old church was demolished. The fire of the early seventies obliterated every trace of its former character. (*A Loiterer in New England*, By Helen W. Henderson, 1919).
strangerdaysaheadsays
This is a lovely church that CB designed, you can still go, attend Mass, enjoy the incredible ambiance of a classic work of architecture restored and lovely. Haymarket stop on the T. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Church_(Boston,_Massachusetts)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Church_(Boston,_Massachusetts))
krak_kraksays
too much filter for my taste
Blainer2013says
Where is the “now” pic? Or has this one burned down too?
dprxxxsays
Lovely to see such a old picture of a great church. But if you look closely the door seems to be off center. Is that a photo effect or as it was?
sverdrupian says
source: [Boston Public Library via the DigitalCommonwealth](https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/37720q547).
[wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Church_(Boston,_Massachusetts)).
sverdrupian says
> One understands better the logic of the apparently paradoxical “New Old South” to place the church on Copley Square, when one knows that there was built, in 1814, by Charles Bulfinch, as a finishing touch to the locality for which he had done so much, the New South Church, on Church Green, at the junction of Summer and Bedford streets. The church was built of the hammered Chelmsford granite, then coming into vogue, and partly on account of its fine masonry, but chiefly for its richness of design and interior, was considered the handsomest of Bulfinch’s efforts in this line. Its octagonal plan offered an amusing variety in construction, and its portico of Doric columns, its storied steeple culminating in a lofty and graceful spire gave a new note of elegance to one of the older residential streets of Boston. Lined with handsome residences shaded by tall trees, Summer Street in those days presented the typical umbrageous vista of the New England town. The ground was high and level, and at the end of the street, beyond the church, could be seen the harbour. In 1868 business having crowded out the old houses and dissipated the congregation, the old church was demolished. The fire of the early seventies obliterated every trace of its former character. (*A Loiterer in New England*, By Helen W. Henderson, 1919).
strangerdaysahead says
This is a lovely church that CB designed, you can still go, attend Mass, enjoy the incredible ambiance of a classic work of architecture restored and lovely. Haymarket stop on the T. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Church_(Boston,_Massachusetts)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Church_(Boston,_Massachusetts))
krak_krak says
too much filter for my taste
Blainer2013 says
Where is the “now” pic? Or has this one burned down too?
dprxxx says
Lovely to see such a old picture of a great church. But if you look closely the door seems to be off center. Is that a photo effect or as it was?