“The Ugliest Church in D.C.” Is Now the Ugliest Half-Church in D.C.

Some call it “the ugliest church in D.C.”; others say it’s simply misunderstood. But all can agree on one thing: The Third Church of Christ, Scientist at 16th and I streets NW is not much longer for this world.

On Sept. 30, a development team consisting of the JBG Companies and ICG Properties applied for a permit to raze the Brutalist church. Now, as the snow-flecked photo above shows, the demise of the building is underway.

For old times’ sake, here’s a reminder of what the church looked like in better times (i.e., October 2013). The big tree in front of the building appears to have been a casualty of the demolition.

Photos by Aaron Wiener