MODERNIST CHURCH ARCHITECTURE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29016, 3 October 1959, Page 10

MODERNIST CHURCH ARCHITECTURE

City’s Mixed Reception

“JT’S all right for a business firm or a sports body, when it puts up a building, to go in for glass and steel, but when it comes to a church going all modern —that’s taking things too far. Give me the old Gothic every time—none of this modern stuff.” That’s the sort of comment that has been heard frequently in Christchurch during the last year or so, for during that time there has been a complete restyling in the appearance of churches, both inside and out. Old associations have been broken in that the accepted patterns in design and materials have undergone a complete change—the contrast between the new and the old has been most marked, and in some cases has aroused violent reactions.

These innovations have been regretted with deep feeling, not only by the conservative, but also by some of the community who in every other way show that they believe in “moving with the times.”

In the past the accepted pattern in church architecture has run to soaring heights and Gothic arches as symbolising the upward reach of the human spirit. A .church has for generations been thought of as a building with a lofty, steep-pitched roof and a pointing spire. Stone-work and stainedglass windows have also had a place in the traditional picture. This is the picture most people have grown up with, and now that we are seeing, in post-war New Zealand, something new and unfamiliar, it is not surprising that opinions have been plainly expressed. In Europe First Of course we, in this country, are seeing only now the evidences of a change in thought as regards church architecture—changes that came first in Europe. Apart from the inevitable timelag. the sudden spate of new churches that has given architects scope for their ideas has occurred now, because at this time are congregations in the position, financially and spiritually, to do something about replacing old and run-down buildings. There has been, undoubtedly a resurgence of new life in the churches since the war; and this, linked with a new attitude to money, has given to scores of congregations impetus to rebuild. Many plans have been prepared

and many more are on the boards, which means that we have not seen the end of what is a fairly recent development.

Some of the features of our newer city churches, as they have caught my eye, stand out, and I would make mention of them here as illustrating the new trend. The first is the use being made of steel to support the roof on what is called the portal frame construction. One of the first churches to use the steel arch was St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church, Shirley. The absence of heavy timber work in the roof, tying the walls together, gives a cleancut appearance that is very pleasing. Steel trusses, I should say, have come to stay in church building as in other constructions where there is a wide roof span, though the use of laminated timber trusses is providing a further development of the same idea. The timber arches are heavier in size, but when stained are perhaps more in harmony than steel is with a church interior. They have an added appeal that they may be a shade cheaper in price.

Marked Deviation The portal frame construction las been responsible for one of he most notable deviations from he traditional, namely the coninuation of the roof line almost o ground level. This is seen in ts boldest form in the new Opawa laptist Church in Wilsons road, inhere you are left with the imression of a huge inverted V. ’his church is a case in point of he type of design that raised yebrows and also of something Ise that has been remarked on—he fact that such designs grow >n you, as it were, until they are (referred to the traditional styles.

The next feature of many of our new churches is the use being made of concrete, either poured or in block form. Ease of construction, as well as cost, has often dictated the use of this material, but where more finance has been available a veneer of brick or stone has faced the walls. The new St. Mary’s in Manchester street is an example of the fine use that can be made of brick, while in Lincoln road, St. Martin’s Anglican Church makes use of stone from Charteris Bay as a veneer. This light-coloured stone is very pleasing to the eye, perhaps because it is more in keeping with the modified traditional design of the building. It is good that there are still to be found men who can work in stone.

St. Nicholas’ Anglican Church, Spreydon, illustrates another way in which concrete walls can be treated, for in that church pink Hanmer marble chips surface the concrete. Again a very pleasing effect is created. Such treatment calls to mind the use made, on the East Coast of England, of flint chips to give added adornment to bare walls. Concrete blocks of various sizes and shades have come into their own in recent years in church buildings, and some pleasing effects have resulted. Whether grey or coloured, smooth or rough, these block ekteriors are increasing in numbers. Utility Buildings The church buildings that most employ the concrete block structure are what are called the church-halls. These utility buildings are springing up in the new suburbs—the housing settlements on the outskirts of the city—and are put up at modest cost to provide a church centre for the new communities. Costing from £3OOO to £5OOO, a church-hall provides where the people live a place of worship and also a meeting place for youth and adult week-night activities. These all-purpose buildings are mainly of contemporary style, colourful and airy, and have one feature in common. This, for want of a better term, is called the worship centre—the portion of the hall which is of special significance for the church worship service. Usually it is so constructed that it can be partitioned off when no service is being held and thus the hall atmosphere predominates and week-night activi-

ties take over. Altar, Communion table, pulpit and lectern behind their temporary screen can quickly be revealed to create the atmosphere required for church services. This all-purpose hall idea is only a temporary expedient to tide a young parish over the formative years until a church proper can be financed, when the church-hall becomes a hall. Yet another feature of modem church architecture is seen in the roofing materials now being used. Slates, tiles and shingles for varying reasons are being replaced by other forms of roofing. I mention here in this connexion two of our newer churches that have broken with tradition. St. Martins Church in Lincoln road has a tiled roof, but the tiles are of an alloy of manganese with a baked enamel finish. St. Nicholas’ in Barrington street has tiles of aluminium. No doubt before long plastic tiles will be used, for there is a new trend in roofing our newer churches. Coloured Glass I would mention one more feature of modern church architecture, namely the use being made of coloured glass. Stainedglass windows are costly, but their function is different from that served by coloured glass in the modern sense. St. Martin’s Presbyterian Church braved the storm as an innovator in this field. In that church, glass blocks of different colour are set in the walls to give a most unusual effect. Their meaning is not apparent at first sight and some explanation is required as to the significance of the amber, the blue and the red colours. Symbolism of a new order is implied by the use of these coloured glass blocks which requires initiation to appreciate what lies behind the use of these various colours.

Other novelties to which I would make bare reference are stainless-steel crosses, modern lighting and heating installations, and the employment of the egg shape in the design of the newest church to be built, St. Stephen’s Presbyterian. Bryndwr.

These many features of recently built churches in Christchurch meet with varied reactions but, on the whole, church members welcome the break away from the dinginess of many of the older church buildings.