New!
Space Age Design
Midcentury Futuristic Atomic Googie Jet Age
Churches
Churches were perfect for Space Age architecture. Congregations with money had always been willing to spend extra to get a church building they would be proud of for generations. Churches had to appeal to those moving to the suburbs, who wanted the latest and greatest. It was a conservative time period and more people attended services. The explosion of the suburbs and more worshippers meant church construction boomed. Futuristic architecture was used in part because churches were now competing more for worshippers who were driving there instead of walking like back in the cities.
Church architecture became more form follows function. Gone were the tall spires and arches. The pews were brought closer to those leading the service. Obstructions were eliminated. The exterior was dictated by the interior, not the other way around. Religious symbolism was reduced though still in evidence.
Well known architects were often brought in and given creative freedom. Modernist architects believed in creating something unlike what had been done in the past. As a result Space Age church buildings often look unlike anything before or after. Some were quite stark in their minimalism. These are modernist but not Space Age and are of little interest today. However, some are real show stoppers, looking more like modern art. There is a growing appreciation for these buildings.
Interestingly, all denominations including synagogues constructed Space Age looking buildings. It wasn't limited to churches, religious colleges such as Oral Roberts, retirement homes and other church affiliated buildings were built in a Space Age style. All of the buildings shown here are still standing proving they were built to last. Many of the postcards shown here are from college campuses as regular churches did not often issue postcards. However, there are many great examples of local Space Age churches. In fact what is shown here barely scratches the surface of this genre.
Nazareth Hall Home For Aged Nuns located at 4614 Trowbridge, El Paso, TX. Built in 1962. Still in use.
St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 650 Hanover St, Manchester, NH. Still in service.
St. Louis Priory Church nka St. Louis Abbey located at 500 S Mason Rd, Creve Coeur, MO. Architects were Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum. Benedictine School.
Interior of the Protestant Chapel at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Now the Cadet Chapel. It claims to be the most visited building in Colorado today.
Marian College Chapel at 3200 Cold Spring Road in Fond du Lac, WI., nka Bishop Chartrand Memorial Chapel.
Interior of the 1500 seat Chapel Auditorium at Susquehanna, University, 46 Weber Way, Selinsgrove, PA. Revolving stage. Now called Webber Chapel Auditorium and used for music. Postcard signed Lou D, manager of the chapel.
St. Johns Abbey located at 2900 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN. A Benedictine monastery in Collegeville Township, Minnesota, affiliated with the American-Cassinese Congregation. Architect Marcel Breuer. Still operting
St. Mary's of Mt. Carmel Shrine at 260 St. Mary's ParkWay, Manistee, MI. Built in 1962. Still in operation but modified exterior.
Grace Lutheran Church located at 4301 16th St. North in St. Petersburg, FL. Built in 1961 to seat 910. Still operating with little exterior change.
Church of the Blessed Sacraments at 1945 Northampton St, Holyoke, MA nka Blessed Sacrament Parish Community. The exterior has had little change.
First Christian Church "Church of Tomorrow" located at 3700 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK. Built in 1956 and somewhat modified since.
Christ's Chapel at Oral Roberts University. Located at 7777 S Lewis Ave
Tulsa, OK. Seats 4,000. Oral Roberts is a showpiece for futuristic architecture.
Tulsa, OK. Seats 4,000. Oral Roberts is a showpiece for futuristic architecture.
St. Paul Lutheran Church at 100 Luther Blvd, Albion, MI. Built in 1958 and still operating with little change to the building. The use of an A-frame was somewhat common in the era.
First Presbyterian Church at 520 Royal Palm Blvd, Vero Beach, FL. This image from 1957. The church is still in operation and little changed on the outside.
Grace Lutheran Church at 205 S Garner St, State College, PA. Still operating with little modification. The exterior is even wilder.
Second Presbyterian Church at 1400 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL. Still operating with little exterior modification. The windows are colored glass giving it a spectacular look at night when the interior is lit. This image date stamped 1963.
The Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN. Built in 1959. Still a regional landmark.