The Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana, is an open air interdenominational church designed by Philip Johnson and dedicated in 1960.[1] The church was commissioned by Jane Blaffer Owen, the wife of a descendant of Robert Owen (the founder of New Harmony).[2] It is an open park surrounded by a wall. There is one roof-like structure inside the compound, which is a cover for the statue The descent of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Lipchitz.[3]
Features edit
The walls of the church are made of brick, and form a 9,800 square ft. rectangle, which is paved with limestone except for areas designated for plants. A gilded and adorned gate (also done by Lipchitz) is on the east side, with a secondary gate in the west wall.[4] The roof-like structure over Lipchitz's sculpture is a shingled baldachin which, as noted by the New Harmony chronicler Don Blair, resembles an upside-down rose bud.[5] Since the original dedication of the church, further sculptures have been added inside the walls.[6]
In 2016, a restoration effort was assembled, and the gate ornaments were re-gilded with gold leaf.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation Properties". Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Sternfeld, Joel. "Roofless Church, New Harmony, Indiana". Art Institute Chicago. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "The Roofless Church". VisitNewHarmony.com. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Welch, Frank D. (2000). Philip Johnson and Texas. University of Texas Press. p. 71. ISBN 0292791348.
- ^ Schulze, Franz (1996). Philip Johnson: Life and Work. University of Chicago Press. p. 282. ISBN 0226740587.
- ^ Higgins, S. Alan (2012). Esperdy, Gabrielle; Kingsley, Karen (eds.). "Roofless Church". Society of Architectural Historians. University of Virginia Press. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "The Roofless Church restoration". WFIE. Evansville, IN. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2019.