The Point on Charles

Situated opposite Johns Hopkins University's Homewood Campus, University Baptist Church and its John Russell Pope designed sanctuary are highly visible to motorists and foot traffic along North Charles Street. In spite of this, the landscape spaces around the church historically were underutilized and planted with large trees that blocked views of the monumental portico. Working in collaboration with Ziger Snead architects, JCLA developed a framework for reimagining the site for civic outreach and transparency. Sloping lawns are replaced with flat terraced lawns using perimeter seatwalls to retain grades and provide a level platform for community-outreach and church events. On the opposite side of the church, a plaza has been constructed to welcome visitors with a children’s play garden intended for the use and enjoyment of both church members and neighbors.