Third Church of Christ, Scientist

Washington, D.C., United States

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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Reference#SOSBrutalism↗

The Third Church of Christ, Scientist in downtown Washington, D.C. was a Brutalist church building designed by architect Araldo Cossutta and completed in 1971. Located at 16th and I Street NW, it served the Christian Science congregation—established in 1918—for over four decades. Though recognized by some critics as a significant work of Brutalist church architecture, the building proved unpopular with its congregation, whose membership declined steadily over the years. After the church applied for a demolition permit in 2007, the structure received landmark status in 1991 but was ultimately demolished in 2014 following a District of Columbia permit issued in May 2009. In 2015, the Third Church merged with First Church of Christ, Scientist, with the combined congregation continuing its activities in a new location.