Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9400 West Congress Street, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1959 |
| Architect | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000100 |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 1974 |
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is a special building in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA. A famous architect named Frank Lloyd Wright designed it in 1956. The church was finished in 1961, after Wright had passed away. It is recognized as an important historical place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wright's design for the church was inspired by old Byzantine architecture styles. He gave these traditional shapes a modern twist. The church's unique, shallow dome looks a bit like the dome on his Marin County Civic Center building in California.
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The Church's Unique Design
How Frank Lloyd Wright Got His Ideas
When Frank Lloyd Wright was asked to design this church, he wanted to understand the most important symbols of the Greek Orthodox Church. He asked his wife, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, who grew up in the Greek Orthodox faith. She told him the main symbols were the cross and the dome.
Wright used these two ideas to create the church's unique look. The building's floor plan is shaped like a Greek cross. This means it has four arms of equal length.
Special Features of the Building
The upper part of the church, which includes a balcony, is held up by wide arches. The main roof has a large dome. This dome sits on top of another dome that is upside down, like a big bowl.
Wright made these traditional shapes simpler and more modern. He successfully brought ancient Byzantine ideas into a 20th-century American setting.
Materials Used in Construction
A lot of the church is made from a special gold-colored aluminum. This material was quite new when the church was built. It was developed by a company called Alcoa.
Over the years, the church has had some updates. For example, the original tiles on the dome were replaced with a strong, synthetic plastic material.
A Modern Take on History
Even though Wright's design was inspired by old Byzantine buildings, like the famous Hagia Sophia, he didn't just copy them. He wanted to update and reinterpret these old styles.
In a letter from 1958, Wright explained his vision. He said the church was "a complete work of modern art and science." He believed it belonged to today's world but still honored ancient traditions. He wanted it to add to tradition, not just live off it.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia ortodoxa griega de la Anunciación (Wauwatosa) para niños
- List of Frank Lloyd Wright works
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
