c. 2007 Religion News Service
WASHINGTON _ It’s been called every name in the book: ugly and hideous (by its detractors), iconic and bold (by its fans). Now there’s a new word to describe the most disputed church in the nation’s capital: protected.
The small flock at the Third Church of Christ, Scientist, on Thursday (Dec. 6) lost the first round in their long-running bid to raze their own building when the city’s Historic Preservation Board voted to grant the building landmark status.
The ruling upset Third Church members, who said the designation makes it impossible to alter a church built in 1971 that no longer suits their needs _ or their tastes.
The church, located two blocks from the White House, is a stark, windowless structure formed from sheer walls of concrete. It sits atop a barren plaza and, parishioners say, is unwelcoming to visitors.
The case has pitted a congregation’s desire to pursue their mission against government officials and non-members who insist on preserving an architectural link to the past.
Some 45 D.C. churches are designated as historic landmarks, most without objection, said David Maloney, District of Columbia historic preservation officer, in testimony before the board.
Admirers say Third Church is a classic example of “brutalist” architecture that had its heydey in the 1960s and ’70s. It’s “striking, iconic and bold,” said Tim Dennee of the city’s Historic Preservation Office. “In the midst of government, you hold on a minute and think of God.”
The board determined Third Church met two landmarking criteria: it was designed by a master architect _ one of I.M. Pei’s partners designed it _ and it is a unique representation of a special architectural style.
It doesn’t matter, board members said, if it’s ugly.
Board member Denise Johnson said the stark exterior that parishioner Whitney Louchheim referred to as “grungy” actually touches her spiritually.
“When I see that building … I think of religion as not ornamented,” Johnson said. Its lack of fancy extras, she said, represents “the most important aspects of religion and spirituality.”
But the church’s chief lay leader, J. Darrow Kirkpatrick, said basic upkeep will require alterations to the building’s exterior to fix deteriorating slabs of concrete.
It’s a price tag the 60-member congregation cannot afford, nor do they like the uninsulated walls that keep the 400-seat sanctuary chilly, or the thousands of dollars it costs to change a light bulb because scaffolding must be erected.
The building’s entrance is not visible to passersby, said Louchheim, who attended with about 15 other parishioners, and prevents the church from inviting others in.
“Our services are not for us, but for the community. We’re closed off. We’re not able to do our job,” said Louchheim.
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She added the vast _ and these days, mostly empty _ interior space inhibits new people from participating during testimony meetings, when all are invited to share their experiences with God’s healing.
“Meetings are supposed to be intimate so you can feel comfortable sharing your stories. We have to use microphones. We sit closer in, but it’s not warm and intimate,” she said.
For now, the church could appeal its case to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty or D.C. Superior Court. The preservation panel said it is willing to work with the church but would probably never allow an outright demolition.
“No one wants this thing to sit empty,” said Tersh Boasberg, the chairman of the preservation panel.
Kirkpatrick, the lay leader, said the small church will do what they do best _ turn to prayer for healing, on this and all other troubling matters.
“Our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, said something like, `Through prayer, reason and revelation will overcome the sophistry of intellect,”’ he said. “We’re going to pray our way every step through this.”
A photo of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, is available via https://religionnews.com
KRE/RB END McCANN
