Burned, Built, and Blessed

Trinity Church is the third oldest Episcopal parish in Boston and has been in continuous operation since 1733, though not always in its current building. Its initial structure was lost in the Great Fire of 1872, which swept through 65 acres of Boston’s downtown destroying 776 buildings. A tragic devastation, however, the structure that would rise from the ashes would become an influential piece of artistry, innovation, and inspiration.

The church’s current structure was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, considered by many to be the finest architect of his day. Completed in 1877, it became both his masterpiece and the birthplace of what would be known as Richardsonian Romanesque: a bold style that blended European influence with an American sense of scale. The firm he founded, now known as Shepley Bulfinch, has continued his legacy for over 150 years, embodying the ideals of that building he made famous with his passion and talent.

The architecture of this congregation is so open and enveloping that it almost insists you stay awhile. Trinity’s sandstone and broad arches seem to breathe, turning a monumental space into something intimate. Beauty doesn’t stop at the door, either. Known as a “church of color,” its interior glows with vivid stained glass by John La Farge, whose pioneering use of opalescent glass filled the windows with a light that feels divine itself. His murals stretch across the space: a kaleidoscope of blues, golds, and reds that are, well, heavenly.

Today, hundreds of families still call Trinity Church their spiritual home. The building remains a living landmark. It is at once a house of worship, a work of art, and a lasting reminder of how architecture, when done with heart and maintained carefully, is itself a blessing.