The Third Church of Christ, Scientist — the octagonal, Brutalist structure on the corner of 16th and Eye NW — is finally coming down.

I traipsed through what’s left of it yesterday, under the cover of a blinding sheet of snow.

It wasn’t hard to get in. The entire front side of the building has been torn away, exposing the nave to the elements. Sunk deep into the concrete on one of the interior walls is a snippet from the Book of John: “God is Love.”

The church was the subject of a protracted preservation battle, the likes of which haven’t been seen in D.C. for quite some while. Churchgoers argued that the building was expensive and difficult to maintain, suggesting that it was their right to practice in a building of their choosing. Preservationists argued that the building was worth saving, a prime example of Brutalist architecture.

In the end, the District ruled in favor of demolition, with outgoing Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning calling the design of the building — among other things — a failed experiment. Demolition began in earnest last week, and the entire structure will be brought down in the next two months.

What some saw as cold and lifeless — “a Brutalist atrocity” — others saw as unpretentious and honest. This was a place that never tried to be anything other than what it was. Like many of the other Brutalist structures in the District, it was an example of architectural honesty, hiding nothing. It is refreshing, in a way, took look at the facade of a building that’s devoid of glass and clutter and be forced to reflect on the shape of the place, to examine it without distraction.

Years ago, I heard someone suggest that the the structure was ill-suited for a church, going on to say that there was nothing beautiful or inspiring about it, as if places of worship should all be sublime, radiant structures.

This, however, was a simple place, one well suited for introspection. I feel like the peace and quiet afforded by eight concrete walls — some three feet thick — would provide plenty of solitude and tranquility to get closer to God.

The church, of course, will be replaced. Unsurprisingly, the design of the building that will go up at 16th and Eye isn’t much different than all of the structures around it — a comfortable companion to the other modern office buildings on the block. When complete, many will surely celebrate the fact that they don’t have to suffer the discomfort of walking by a hulking concrete tower anymore. But I won’t.

There is value in style, however misguided that style may be. There is little to no value in the bland.