Christ Church Chicago

Christ Church Chicago's building opened in 1916 as the Ninth Church of Christ Scientist. The dome plans were by the renowned Rafael Guastavino & Co, whose work includes the Grand Central Oyster Bar in NYC and the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville, NC. The dome spans 56 feet with a 4" shell that's completely self-supporting. In 1958, the building was sold to St. John the Baptist Temple, whose congregation met there until Christ Church Chicago purchased it in 2020. Significant restoration began in 2020 as the building was in a state of disrepair. The renovation included a complete replacement of MEP systems, new life safety systems, elevator installation, restoration of decorative plaster and art glass by Botti Studio of Architectural Arts, window replacement, new auditorium seating, and the introduction of new classrooms, and upper level admin space and offices.

Carl Barkhausen, 1916; Renovation: Present Future Architects, 2022