|
October 1, 2007
In the centuries past the Kirke and Glebe would be on the best land in a city. Usually a hill or a local high point to be nearer to God. Religion has lost its prestige since those days and now must compete for land with modern residential subdivisions and commercial properties. Smaller churches often rent out civic buildings such as local schools on Sundays, however, some Churches have achieved economies of scale and locate themselves on the same strips of land that larger commercial buildings occupy.
This church is on Route.7 in Virginia. It is next to the old Worldcom/MCI Headquarters which was caught up in many of the accounting scandals that ended the telecommunications boom. The internal structure of the church is exactly the same as a medium sized office building. It is a steel skeleton and the external materials, despite the church-like architecture, are the same as the office buildings that surround it. Basically creme stone trimmings, brick walls and aqua steel roof.
The logistical points for the Church are the same as a large commercial or office building as well. There is a delivery section which includes a large hopper for garbage and the car park is as large as any office building. Despite its outward appearance, in scale, structure, support facilities, etc; it is indistinguishable from a modern commercial building.
This is mainly because this area is so new. There just isn't the low cost land for a small or medium sized church. Across the road from the Church is a high-tech Hospital across a large sprawling campus, while a little further down the road is a government subsidised Biotech campus and two Universities. Either side of it are two very wealthy subdivisions and developments. The commercial building next to it contains Sun Microsystems amongst others.
This is how some Churches are adapting to the local suburban and economic environment.
|
Cam,
re your comment Despite its outward appearance, in scale, structure, support facilities, etc; it is indistinguishable from a modern commercial building.
The outward appearance is important. There we have the Greek/Roman pillars, the spire, the reference to the dome, and the curved top of the bottom row of windows. Where the windows stained glass?