In January 2009, Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis became Minnesota's newest National Historic Landmark (NHL). The church stands at 3244 34th Avenue South, in a quiet neighborhood about four miles southeast of downtown. It is nationally significant as the work of Eliel Saarinen, one of the most important architects and teachers of the 20th century, who helped lead the modernist movement and the rise of modernist religious architecture in the United States.
West façade and arcade of Eliel Saarinen's Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Kumar, National Park Service.
A masterwork
Built in 1948–1949, the church is considered by many to be Saarinen's masterwork — without precedent among churches for its focused design, lighting and acoustics. Through materials, proportion, scale and light, Saarinen achieved great drama while keeping a human scale and a sense of serenity that set his work apart from many fellow modernists.
| Feature | Design |
|---|---|
| Form | A large rectangular volume with one-story wings running the length of both long sides |
| Walls | No two main walls exactly parallel, and the rear wall curves gently around the chancel — deliberately, to improve the acoustics |
| Tower | Set to the south, joined to the church by a passage |
| Education Wing (1962) | Designed by Eliel's son Eero Saarinen, himself one of the century's most acclaimed architects, completing his father's original concept and respecting the earlier buildings |
The church became an affordable modernist prototype, copied by congregations across the country — rare influence for such a modest project.
Remarkably intact
Few changes have been made: a remodeled basement, subtle changes to the metal flashing, and an accessible restroom added to the Education Wing. In 1977, the church received the American Institute of Architects' Twenty-Five Year Award, which honors design of enduring significance. It still serves its congregation and remains admired as a tribute to both Saarinens.
In recognition of its influence, the church received a Save America's Treasures grant for masonry work in 2009.
Sources
Based on "Saarinen Masterpiece is Minnesota's Newest National Historic Landmark," written by National Park Service staff and first published in Exceptional Places vol. 4 (2009), a newsletter of the Midwest Region's Division of Cultural Resources, National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
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