 Posted Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:34 PM
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| The decline and impending demise of Christian Science is an issue that shows up in various threads. This usually focuses on the fate of various branch churches, and sometimes extends into consideration of the CS "Movement." And we know that the corporate Mother Church has retrenched by cutting staff drastically, and consolidating administration in the old "Publishing Society" building, ("One Norway Street"). This makes the high rise "Admin Building" (175 Huntington Ave) and "the Colonnade" (Belvedere Street) available for lucrative rental income. I have long opined that CS will devolve into a confusing, but highly remunerative, mish-mash of trusts, foundations, "institutes," and various "non-profits" which will provide generous income and assets to a small group of well-placed, even cynically eploitive, higher-ups. They will "keep the embers of CS aglow," comfortably warmed by all sorts of financial instruments. Turning the I.M. Pei buildings into money-makers is a significant step in this program. But what about the Back Bay* real estate? At a certain point, even a scattered handful of loyal elders will be uncomfortable meeting in the granite "Original Edifice!" What will become of TMC's home church buildings--the "Original Edifice" of the Mother Church and the (domed) "Extension to the Mother Church?" Elsewhere, Menderfire9 remarked I hope they turn it into a genuine healing center or Department of Peace or something like that..... , while Do-Go-Be-Man wistfully mused, I've prayed that TMC would come to renounce apostasy in the manner that the Worldwide Church of God did after the passing of Herbert Armstrong. They are architecturally significant, and are not likely to be torn down for anything. And they are not suitable for conversion to some other purpose.** What would you like to see become of these combined buildings? Who/what would be an appropriate successor owner? What do you think is likely to actually happen to them? And when? *The Church Center, known by some wags as "the little vatican," is actually at the juncture of the Back Bay, the South End, and the East Fenway **Lenin had a penchant for turning churches--cathedrals, even!--into warehouses and military depots.
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Posted Friday, May 23, 2008 4:22 PM
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followingHim,
What would you like to see become of these combined buildings?
Who/what would be an appropriate successor owner?
What do you think is likely to actually happen to them?
And when?
Supposing that TMC doesn't follow in the footsteps of the Worldwide Church of God, I'd like to see the Original Edifice and Extension become Reform Christian churches preaching the literal word of God. They are beautiful buildings. I don't think they would be appropriate structures for the world's largest MacDonalds or a shopping mall. Imagine a food court on the main floor with the Aeolian-Skinner organ playing elevator music.
The IM Pei buildings would be appropriate for commercial use, but not sure about what to do with the Sunday School. A fitness center?
I'm afraid they are more likely to fall into non-Christian hands such as a New Age movement. There may come a time in the not too distant future when the Board of Directors will lose control of the real estate (would that be Unreal Estate?).
As to when? The sooner, the better. CS continues to financially and physically drain the sweet old church ladies for the sake of maintaining facilities that are oversized for current requirements. The sooner TMC transfers the real estate, the more likely they will be able to ensure the new owners are appropriate heirs.
Do Go Be Man
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Posted Sunday, May 25, 2008 5:51 PM
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| I think the most likely scenario is that --at first-- some super church, super-growth group will take it over. But these groups tend to be like Prairie fires: very fast, very hot, with a quck burn-out. Oftentime, they're prosperity gospel groups, or in some way catering to people's sense of want, need, and self-esteem. Maybe Pentacostal church. They'll have to sand-blast Eddy's quotes off the walls, or cover them with trendy banners. But as I said, these groups have a fast burn-out rate. Then what? As extraordinary an architectural challenge as it may be, they could, indeed, become condos. All sorts of churches, factory buildings and the like have been converted in Boston. The huge cavern of the Extension's basilica could be turned into expansive loft space! I imagine the real estate market will have recovered by then. Maybe around 2015-2020? I do agree, Do-Go, it would be fantastic to see an authentic, Scripture-based, Gospel-preaching church take it over. But in Boston? Don't make reservations!
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