The First Church of Christ, Scientist is widely considered Bernard Maybeck’s masterpiece and one of the nation’s most creative and stylistically diverse buildings. Designed in 1910 and completed in 1912, the church represents a remarkable fusion of architectural traditions that somehow coheres into a unified, distinctive vision.

Architectural Significance

Maybeck’s design draws from Romanesque, early Christian, Gothic, and Japanese traditions, creating what can only be described as Arts & Crafts eclecticism taken to its most ambitious extreme. The church eschews the historical purity of period revivals in favor of creating something entirely new from historical elements.

The interior is particularly remarkable. Massive diagonally crossed wood trusses—exposed to full view—support four fluted concrete columns that allow completely unobstructed views from the congregation to the Reader stands. This structural honesty and functional clarity reflect early twentieth-century architectural philosophy.

The church’s exterior combines Gothic arches, Romanesque details, and organic forms derived from nature. The use of natural materials—wood, stone, terra cotta—creates warmth and humanness despite the building’s substantial scale.

Historical Recognition

The building’s significance has been formally recognized multiple times. It was designated a Berkeley Landmark in 1975, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1977. These designations reflect the building’s importance in American architectural history.

Visiting & Tours

The church welcomes visitors and offers free 45-minute guided tours on the first Sunday of each month. These docent-led tours provide expert explanation of Maybeck’s design choices and architectural significance. Tours are the best way to understand the interior spaces and appreciate the structural and ornamental details.

The church remains an active congregation, so visits should respect worship schedules. Check the website for current tour times and any special events or services visitors might attend.

The Experience

Standing inside the First Church is a powerful architectural experience. The soaring interior spaces, natural light, exposed structure, and integration of multiple design traditions create a sense of both grandeur and intimacy. Even those with little architectural background find themselves moved by the building’s presence.

The approach to the church—up a winding path with gardens and natural landscape—prepares visitors psychologically for the architectural experience ahead.

Getting There

The church is located at 2619 Dwight Way, between College and Warring Avenue, in the Southside neighborhood. Street parking is available on Dwight Way and nearby streets. The site is about a 10-minute walk from the Civic Center BART station and accessible by local buses running on College Avenue.

The building sits on a hillside, requiring a modest walk uphill from street level. Visitors with mobility limitations should be aware of this topography.