Christ Church Lutheran (Minneapolis, Minnesota) facts for kids
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Christ Church Lutheran
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Christ Church Lutheran viewed from the northeast
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| Location | 3244 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406 |
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| Built | 1948 |
| Built by | Kraus-Anderson, Inc. |
| Architect | Eliel Saarinen |
| Architectural style | International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000654 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 20, 2001 |
| Designated NHL | January 16, 2009 |
Christ Church Lutheran is a church located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its buildings are very famous around the world. They were designed by a father and son team, Eliel Saarinen and Eero Saarinen. In 2009, the church was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
The church started in 1911. It was first part of a different group of Lutheran churches. Later, in the 1970s, the church joined a new group. This group eventually helped create the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which Christ Church Lutheran is part of today.
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Amazing Architecture
The main church building was designed by Eliel Saarinen. It is built in the International Style. This is a type of architecture that uses simple shapes and clean lines. The church opened in 1949. People immediately recognized it as an amazing piece of art.
It was one of the first modern church buildings in the United States. Many other churches built later were inspired by its design. A famous conductor, Osmo Vänskä, said the church has great acoustics for music. This makes it a wonderful place for concerts.
The church congregation first wanted a traditional Gothic-style building. But that plan was too expensive. So, in 1946, their pastor, Reverend William A. Buege, asked Eliel Saarinen to design the church. Saarinen was the president of the Cranbrook Academy of Art at the time. He had designed a similar modern church in Indiana in 1941.
Eliel Saarinen said that "if a building is honest, the architecture is religious." He passed away the year after the church opened. From the outside, the church looks like a simple box. But if you look closely, the walls are not perfectly parallel. This gives it a unique shape.
The Education Building
An extra building, called the education building, was added in 1962. It is connected to the main church by a walkway. This building was designed under the guidance of Eero Saarinen, Eliel's son. It was also one of Eero's last projects before he passed away.
The education building was carefully planned. It was made to match and complete the design of the original church. It is built around a courtyard, which is an open space in the middle.
Awards and Recognition
Christ Church Lutheran has received many awards for its design. In 1977, it won the American Institute of Architects Twenty-five Year Award. This award honors buildings that have stood the test of time. It was one of only two churches ever to receive this special award.
The entire church building was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 2009. This is a very high honor for a historic place in the U.S.
Recent Updates and Tours
The church has been well-maintained over the years. The bell tower was repaired in 2011. The courtyard was rebuilt in 2017. In 2018, a brand new pipe organ was installed. It was built by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders.
You can take free tours of the church to learn more about its architecture. These tours happen at 11:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of every month. They are led by guides from a group called Friends of Christ Church Lutheran. If you have a large group, you can arrange a special tour.
See also
- Chapel of the Resurrection (Valparaiso, Indiana), a church influenced by Christ Church Lutheran
- First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana), a similar church designed by Saarinen
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Minnesota
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hennepin County, Minnesota
