Cathedral of the Holy Cross
South End
July 27, 2006 | 6:15 a.m.

I don't think the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Boston in the South End is that attractive. But on the morning I took this shot, as I was walking to the South End Buttery for coffee before heading to the airport for an early flight to JFK, I thought some of its detailing deserved a closer look.

The thing that's interesting about this imposing church is its location. It holds court over Washington Street, once a urban war zone that is today thoroughly gentrified and home to some of Boston's most expensive real estate and its most chic restaurants.

Excuse the crookedness: it was early in the morning.