Suburban Church, The

Suburban Church, The

By Gretchen Buggeln

Book Description

After World War II ended, American religious communities embarked on an unprecedented building campaign that would reshape both worship and suburban landscapes. In this meticulously researched exploration, Gretchen Buggeln reveals how Protestant congregations and visionary architects collaborated to create a new sacred architecture for the modern age.

Drawing from architectural records, congregational archives, and personal testimonies, this study examines the remarkable partnerships between innovative architects like Edward D. Dart, Edward A. Sovik, and Charles E. Stade with seventy-five Midwestern congregations. Together, they designed modernist churches that challenged traditional worship spaces while addressing the spiritual needs of rapidly changing communities.

Buggeln demonstrates how these striking buildings became more than architectural statements. They embodied the religious optimism, ecumenical spirit, and liturgical experimentation of their era, while also reflecting deep concerns about maintaining spiritual relevance amid sweeping cultural transformation. These congregations faced the complex challenge of serving God while meeting the expectations of suburban middle-class families who demanded both spiritual nourishment and community connection.

Rather than dismissing these communities as superficial "country club" churches, this thoughtful analysis reveals earnest religious seekers navigating the tension between sacred calling and social context. For readers interested in how physical spaces shape spiritual experience, this book offers profound insights into the relationship between architecture, faith, and community in postwar America.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)

📄 Length: 368 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore ARCHITECTURE
  • ✓ Explore SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion
  • ✓ Explore Church buildings, united states
  • ✓ Explore ARCHITECTURE / Buildings / Religious
  • ✓ Explore Buildings
  • ✓ Explore Contemporary (1945- )
  • ✓ Explore SOCIAL SCIENCE
  • ✓ Explore Midcentury modern (Architecture)

Topics Covered

ARCHITECTURE SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion Church buildings, united states ARCHITECTURE / Buildings / Religious Buildings Contemporary (1945- ) SOCIAL SCIENCE Midcentury modern (Architecture) Architecture and society Protestant church buildings Religious Sociology of Religion ARCHITECTURE / History / Contemporary (1945-) History Architecture, united states Suburban churches

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