The world-famous and utterly majestic First Church of Christ, Scientist was built in 1894 by the original Christian Science congregation (led then by the denomination's founder, Mary Baker Eddy) and expanded in 1910. Its stunningly beautiful chapel incorporates Byzantine and Roman architectural elements and houses the 8th largest pipe organ in the United States (with more than 13,000 individual pipes). Guided tours are available five days a week. A tour lasts about 25 minutes and is free.
The Christian Science Reading Room in Back Bay is open to all, from residents to tourists. It provides visitors with quiet, comfortable reading and computer stations and sells inspirational and religious reading, such as books, magazines, music and periodicals. A listening station, multimedia station and reference section are available on the premises. Weekly Bible study sessions, readings, discussion groups and book fairs are held regularly. This reading room is open every day of the week.