First Christian Church, Columbus, Indiana
Encyclopedia
The First Christian Church (originally known as the Tabernacle Church of Christ) in Columbus
, Indiana
, was built in 1942. It was the first contemporary building in Columbus and one of the first churches in the United States
to be built in a contemporary architectural style.
The building, designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen
, consists of a glass-fronted main hall, with a tower and bridge section. Interior details such as light fixtures, screen and furniture were designed by Saarinen's son Eero Saarinen
(who would later design the North Christian Church
in Columbus) and Charles Eames. Eliel's wife Loja Saarinen designed the tapestry
inside which depicts the Sermon on the Mount
.
The building was designated a National Historic Landmark
by the National Park Service
in 2001.
Columbus, Indiana
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 44,061 at the 2010 census, and the current mayor is Fred Armstrong. Located approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th largest...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, was built in 1942. It was the first contemporary building in Columbus and one of the first churches in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to be built in a contemporary architectural style.
The building, designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen
Eliel Saarinen
Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen was a Finnish architect who became famous for his art nouveau buildings in the early years of the 20th century....
, consists of a glass-fronted main hall, with a tower and bridge section. Interior details such as light fixtures, screen and furniture were designed by Saarinen's son Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen was a Finnish American architect and industrial designer of the 20th century famous for varying his style according to the demands of the project: simple, sweeping, arching structural curves or machine-like rationalism.-Biography:Eero Saarinen shared the same birthday as his father,...
(who would later design the North Christian Church
North Christian Church
The North Christian Church is a church in Columbus, Indiana. Founded in 1955, it is part of the Christian Church . The church building of 1964 was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1964. The church was the last building designed by Saarinen before his death...
in Columbus) and Charles Eames. Eliel's wife Loja Saarinen designed the tapestry
Tapestry
Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven on a vertical loom, however it can also be woven on a floor loom as well. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length and those parallel to the width ; the warp threads are set up under tension on a...
inside which depicts the Sermon on the Mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
.
The building was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
in 2001.