Today I want to share about my neighbor behind me...the Lutheran Church! Actually, just behind my house is their parking lot and past that is the grassy area you see here. To give you an idea of where I was when I took this picture, if you could look a little farther to the left, you would be looking at the back yard of the Shack.
The front part of the church is the original part, with the part to the left being an addition sometime in the 1970s or early 1980s. I love the mid-century architecture of this building. From what I have gathered, it was built using Noah's Ark as inspiration. The walls inside are all square, but on the outside they are angled up from the foundation. The stone work at the base of the building matches the stone that was used on the Shack. I love to look for that detail in buildings around town.
I think that it was built around the same time as the Shack, in the late 1950s. That seems to be the time period this whole neighborhood was constructed. Of course, there are a few older houses a street over.
So, there ya have it...an amazing piece of mid-century architecture, hidden way back off the beaten path in small town USA. It isn't even on one of the main roads in town, and if you were new in town, it would take a while to find it unless someone gave you directions!
I have to admit, I felt really awkward walking through the church yard and taking photos of the building. I'm not sure why. Of course, I might have felt better if I attended church there. I've seen some interesting stuff over there on Sunday mornings (I get home from church before they get out). Who's to say that a church can't be an entertaining neighbor?
Have a great Wednesday!
Wow, there are some mid-century churches around here, but they don't look that cool!
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Now you need to go get some photos of the inside for us to see! (Talk about feeling awkward...) I love how there seems to be a lot of space around your house, rather than houses crammed up against each other.
ReplyDeleteJKaye - the lot that my house sits on is, strangely, one of the largest in the neighborhood...especially strange since it is the smallest house in the neighborhood. My lot is 90 x 150. I love how much yard I have. I'm beginning to think that y house might have been one of the first built in this subdivision.
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool church! We have a few in my neighborhood that I feel strange taking photos of, too. {But, I think you've inspired me}
ReplyDeleteI love how schools & churches used to be built right in the community for walkability, instead of on major highways w/huge parking lots like they are today.
That church is awesome!!! I LOVE how the walls are tapered outward...
ReplyDeleteWow, you do have a nice-sized lot. Looks nice and flat, too, from the photo.
ReplyDelete