Trinity Church Boston,1872, Henry Hobson Richardson

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Trinity Church Boston, Henry Hobson Richardson, 1872

Trinity church Boston is located in the back bay of Boston Massachusetts, and was founded in 1734.  Henry Hobson Richardson was the led architect in this project, this church is a Richardsonian Romanesque style which has both French and Spanish Romanesque characteristics. "It was inspired by the ancient Romans (1066 – 1200), but it was Richardson’s personal interpretation and adaptation that accounts for the originality and importance of the work"(urban dictionary). We see how this style rapidly grew throughout history this "influence was soon felt in cities throughout the growing country. Richardson’s ideas went on to influence a generation of American architects, including Louis H. Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, as they created a new American architecture" (Makers Of Trinity Church In City Boston pp.27). 

      This was Henry’s masterpiece because it was designated a s a National Historic Landmark. "This congregation is about 3,000 households, and holds about five services each Sunday and three during the week. The type of worship they sing is Anglican tradition and for this reason trinity has been considered a broad church parish"(WTTW). Parish means a church that is involved with their community with programs for kids and teenagers.

In 1872 the great Boston fire happen occurred and he church underwent construction from 1872 to 1877 when the complex was consecrated. While this church was being built members gathered in Huntington Hall at MIT. This church was the element that established Richardson reputation. November 1874 the first chapel was completed and this is where Sunday school was held while the main church underwent construction. In may of 1875 majority of the walls were built so the rector decided to laid the cornerstone for the church. November 1876 Trinity Church was completed but wasn’t able to be occupied because furniture and decoration were incomplete. Jogn La Farge was the master artist and he worked long nights trying to finish minor things but it wasn’t able to be used till the following year 1877. On a beautiful spring day the church was done and present to the governor of Massachusetts, the major and Bishop at the time. In 2005 trinity completed another expansion that was approximately 53 million dollars which protected its unique American landmark for the future generation.

This was the birth of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, which is classified by the clay roof, it rough stone, massive tower and the heavy arches. After this the Richardsonian Romanesque style was replicated in many public building in the united states. Trinity church used the Dedham granite stone which is a light grayish pink to greenish gray which gives it a rusticated rock look. The buildings plan is modified Greek Cross because its extending outwards from the center if the tower. The church windows were originally large clear glass and others were stained glass which gives it that beautiful look. That’s why this building has been consider a masterpiece of American architecture.
I really like how this element sits on site and how it interact with the surrounding buildings, but at the same time it stands out because of its style. As you see in the plan above this is a very spacious church, where everything is very proportional and you can see and understand how one space leads to the ones around it. The arches in the church gives it this massive emphasizes which leads to the center of the altar.

Sources:

-https://www.trinitychurchboston.org/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2018.
-O'Gorman, James F. Makers Of Trinity Church In City Boston. University Massachusetts, 2004, pp. 20-50.
-WTTW, interactive.wttw.com/tenbuildings/trinity-church. Accessed 9 Mar. 2018.