University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation January 2007 Free Neoclassism and Interior Architectural Surface Finishes: The nI vestigation, Analysis and Interpretation of William Strickland's St. John's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia Kerry Lenehan Johnston University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Johnston, Kerry Lenehan, "Free Neoclassism and Interior Architectural Surface Finishes: The nI vestigation, Analysis and Interpretation of William Strickland's St. John's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia" (2007). Theses (Historic Preservation). 81. http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/81 A Thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2007. Advisor: Frank G. Matero This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/81 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Free Neoclassism and Interior Architectural Surface Finishes: The Investigation, Analysis and Interpretation of William Strickland's St. John's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia Comments A Thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2007. Advisor: Frank G. Matero This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/81 FREE NEOCLASSICISM AND INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL SURFACE FINISHES: THE INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF WILLIAM STRICKLAND’S ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA Kerry Lenehan Johnston A THESIS in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION 2007 _____________________________ ______________________________ Advisor Reader Frank G. Matero Jeffrey A. Cohen Professor of Architecture Senior Lecturer, Growth & Structure of Cities Program Bryn Mawr College ______________________________ Program Chair Frank G. Matero Professor of Architecture St. John’s Episcopal / Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, ca. 1934 (The Historical Society of Pennsylvania) ii To Natalie and Brad, for keeping it all in perspective. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It has been a privilege and honor to have had the opportunity to work on a building as significant as St. John’s for my master’s thesis. I have gained tremendous knowledge of an important and oft-overlooked period in American architecture that helped shape the architectural profession as we know it today. I therefore must express my gratitude to numerous individuals whose help and support has significantly aided in the completion of this study. Foremost, sincerest thanks to the congregation of Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, who opened the doors of their house of worship to me. I am indebted especially to Father Florin and Irina Ienulescu, as well as Father Nicolai Buga and Mitch Tanase for their hospitality and accommodation. At the University of Pennsylvania, I will always be grateful to Frank Matero, my advisor, for his direction, expertise, and opportunities to explore architectural conservation. His enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge have continually challenged us to strive beyond our capabilities. I would like to express appreciation to John Hinchman, as well, for his astounding technical expertise and fun conversations over the years. Thank you also to Jefffrey Cohen, my reader, for introducing the world to Strickland’s St. John’s and for his tremendous insights into the architectural context of the building. And most importantly, I need to thank my family, only with whom this endeavor could be possible: to Susan and Craig; to my mom, dad, and brothers for their unwavering support; to my children Natalie and Bradley for their patience and sense of humor; and to Christopher, my constant source of strength and love (who also happens to be an excellent cross section polisher). It has been a long, enlightening, journey. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. v List of Figures.................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables .................................................................................................................... ix List of Charts.................................................................................................................... ix 1 St. John's Episcopal Church: Its Physical Fabric, History & Creators .................. 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 Physical Description ....................................................................................................... 3 History............................................................................................................................. 9 William Strickland, the architect .................................................................................. 15 William Thackara, the master plasterer ........................................................................ 21 2 Architectural Context: Free Neoclassicism, Church Design & Significance......... 28 Free Neoclassicism ....................................................................................................... 28 Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Avant-Garde Philadelphia......................................... 30 European Origins ...................................................................................................... 34 European Trends Translated in the United States..................................................... 45 Free Neoclassicism and Church Design ....................................................................... 68 The Church of England............................................................................................. 69 The Wren-Gibbs Tradition........................................................................................ 71 European Neoclassicism Goes to Church................................................................. 73 Free Neoclassical Church Designs............................................................................ 76 Greek Gods ............................................................................................................... 87 The Significance of St. John’s Episcopal Church......................................................... 89 3 Architectural Surface Finishes Context: In Search of a Free Neoclassical Palette 94 Introduction................................................................................................................... 94 Colors of the Late Eighteenth Century ......................................................................... 98 British Neoclassical Colors....................................................................................... 98 Eighteenth-Century America .................................................................................. 102 Free Neoclassical Colors............................................................................................. 104 Finishes Analyses of Select Period Interiors .......................................................... 104 A Latrobean Palette................................................................................................. 131 Additional Case Studies.......................................................................................... 141 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 150 Colors of the Greek Revival ....................................................................................... 152 Church-specific Decoration ........................................................................................ 156 Coloring the Church of England............................................................................. 157 Colonial Examples.................................................................................................. 164 Free Neoclassical Examples ................................................................................... 167 The Greek Revival and Beyond.............................................................................. 169 v Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 175 4 St. John's Interior Surface Finishes: Examination, Analysis & Summary of Findings.......................................................................................................................... 181 4.1. Methodology........................................................................................................ 181 4.1.1. Archival Documentation............................................................................... 181 4.1.2. Site Investigation Techniques....................................................................... 182 4.1.3. Paint Layer Documentation .........................................................................