Skylight Restoration-First Christian Church

Eliel Saarinen, Architect 1942

Got Leaks? Indiana Historic Preservations Conference. April 2018

Louis Joyner Lecturer, Indiana University Principal, Louis Joyner Architect 2014 Condition Study

Exterior concrete Limestone Steps

Tower Retaining Wall Skylight: leaks Options Considered by Church

• Roof over and install artificial lights • Roof over, install small residential skylights, add artificial lights • Replace From Architect’s letter to the Building Committee, 1940. Published in Dedication Booklet.

Sanctuary Rendering (from model photo?), Eliel Saarinen, c. 1939. Eero From “The Symbolism of First Christian Saarinen collection, Yale University. Church. Undated manuscript by Elsie Irwin Sweeney Tapestry: Sermon on the Mount. Loja Sanctuary (Model?), Eliel Saarinen, Saarinen. 1942. c. 1939. Eero Saarinen collection, Yale University. Sanctuary c. 1950. Sanctuary, undated-perhaps late 1990’s. Balthazar Korab Collection, Library of Congress Life Magazine online archive Christ Church Lutheran , Minneapolis, Minnesota. Eliel Saarinen 1949 Photo: Pete Sieger. http://www.friendsofccl.org/

The Monumental Window 400 s.f. of glass Plexiglas skylight c. 1965 installed over historic glass block skylight.

Concerns

• Light – Affecting projection during services – Damaging tapestry • Heat and moisture buildup in space between skylights • Condensation of moisture on glass in monumental window Strategy

Skylight: • New glass skylight above • Vent space between skylights with ducted fan • Power -operated horizontal blinds-eliminated due to cost. Monumental Window • Power -operated shade • Allow space at top and bottom for air movement • Encourage church to keep blind open most of the time.

Next Steps

Skylight: • Install power-operated blinds if needed Tapestry • Assess condition of tapestry and implement recommendations. • Explore reworking curtain rod to offset farther from face of tapestry