Views of Churches

This building was built in 1924 is home to the United Methodist Church in Chicago and for a time was the tallest building in Chicago, but is now dwarfed by the many commercial high rises around it. It houses many floors of church offices and lease tenant office space as well as the residence of the pastor of the church. The Sky Chapel, at 400 ft. above ground, is the highest worship space in the world included in its 568 ft. which is only second to Ulm Minster in overall height of a building original designed as church space. This evening photo focuses on the spire which has a Gothic design and is illuminated to contrast with the surrounding city high rise office building. Taken with Nikon D90, 18-105 Nikkor Lens at 18mm, with f4.5, 1/15s, ISO 500, Manual Exposure and White Balance, then cropped and slightly enhanced in Lightroom 3.

This church is perhaps the most famous in the world. Rome is the home to many fine churches, and yet St. Peter's Basilica is perhaps the most important representative of grand worship spaces both exterior and on the interior. This exterior view which at times is teeming with many worshipers who can't get inside the basilica gives a sense of worship space even during the day when tourists are just standing in awe of the wonderful architecture.

The Duomo in Florence -- This shooting up view gives us a sense even in partial view of the rich architectural designed exterior and its place amongst some of the most beloved centers of worship in the world.

First United Church of Oak Park, IL which is christian community union of the the Presbyterian Church and United Church of Christ looks like it is reaching for the heavens creating a sense of place for worship. This beautiful church, built in the late 19th Century is across the street from Unity Temple (see below). The rough cut stone helps to accentuate the late afternoon sun as the church reaches for the blue skies above.

Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in early 20th century. This church's exterior space and design in a very unique way suggests both the prairie style of architecture Wright was known for as well as the grand space and columns of churches and temples of earlier eras.