Its tower is topped by a belfry designed by architect Charles Bulfinch in 1809 and built for use on Boylston Market; it was rescued from demolition and given to the church in 1921.

[1] The Calvary Methodist Church is located on the southwest side of Massachusetts Avenue, southeast of Arlington center.

Above this is an octagonal belfry, with four wide sides housing round-arched louvered openings with engaged columns at the corners.

The congregation had difficulty keeping up with the construction costs, and the builder threatened to sell off the partially-finished building for use as a theater.

During the design process, Macnaughton had learned of Charles Bulfinch's planned cupola for Boston's Kings Chapel, which was never executed.