what?

1. eliel saarinen's first christian church, columbus in

2. eero saarinen's north christian church, columbus in

somewhat recent buildings:

Myyrmäki Church by Juha Leiviskä

Thorncrown Chapel by E. Fay Jones

Design Intelligence publishes a survey of the top 25 churches every year based on a survey of noted members of the clergy.

There are some really nice Utzon churches as well.

Lets not forget Lewerentz

Or .. Zumthor of course..and more Zumthor.

We are in the process of finishing a Presbyterian Church in Brookline... it is very recent to say the least.

Actually..not even done yet :)

I really enjoyed Steven Holl's Chapel of St. Ignatius in Seattle. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles is much more formal than the chapel of course but it is also a well done modern church. The site that I'm linking to might be just what you're looking for, Sacred Destinations.

psheldahl :

Awesome interior. Do u have exterior rendering or pictures?

Guys, thanks! Pls continue.

Thanks CMRHM....we just wish they would finish...soon

I have a couple construction shots of the exterior.. One is the chapel, the other is a Community Center and the third is a courtyard between the two. Sorry for the mess..it is still a construction site.

psheldahl:

great work. I see the lighting either from clerestory window( is this the way to call it?) and ceiling is meaningful.

Do u guys use stainless steel or alum. panel for exterior? It contrast well with the wood deck and siding. What is the capacity for the santuary? Do u have an idea for the cost per sqft?

the whole feeling for this small building is calm, clean and elegant.

God definitely will be pleased at it.

Thanks for your kind words.

Panels are neither, they are a product called Swiss Pearl. There is an east coast and west coast distributor here in the States, but the product is from Switzerland. Basically a high end cementitious panel.

This project is on a very tight budget and will come in at around $275-300 / sq. ft total. The chapel you see is a 'children's chapel', with an occupancy of 120.

A bit older than most here: Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, one of the most impressive churches for me.

Can't believe I forgot Eladio Dieste

psheldahl:

Children's chapel, nice. Thanks for letting me know the budget. I once was involved in a church renovation project around U. of Chicago. The budget and parking is also very tight.

Holy Rosary Church Complex - Trahan Architects

http://www.archdaily.com/30145/holy-rosary-church-complex-trahan-architects/

^ that's beautiful!

love the contemporary la tourette/cloister scheme

i'm kind of amazed you're getting that built in brookline, psheldahl. nice work. congratulations!

Steven..thanks. We could always use a little support! I am sure you understand that not everyone is that thrilled about it. It has even made it onto Campbells 'Ugly' list, nominated for demolition by Boston Globe readers :) Well, at least we are in good company with the ICA, they made it on the list as well. Sigh.

psheldahl, that does look like a really gorgeous project. Wow.

As to the original post, Eero Saarinen's MIT Chapel was a profoundly moving experience for me. It doesn't photograph worth a damn, but the actual space, both interior and exterior, and materiality are amazing.

Donna: I agree MIT chapel is one of the best so far.

chapel of light and chapel on the water by Ando are both good as well
and did no one really mention Corb's Ronchamp?

val ossipoff's open-air punahou chapel is rather fetching...

re ando churches: only the light chapel is real church. the others (he did a few) are set designs for western style wedding ceremonies conducted by actors, not priests, usually attached to a hotel. to me they don't count as churches...

if you don't mind that sort of thing though, the chapel by klein dytham is quite fetching especially when backlit.

Holy Rosary Church Complex by Trahan Architects

oops I should of scrolled up - sorry randomized