During my daily digg, I came across some outstanding architecture for a new church building in Oakland, California. The building is known as the Cathedral of Christ the Light and was just recently completed. The stunning structure makes beautiful use of glass, fly ash concrete, and wood, but what is the most impressing thing is the incredible use of natural light. This building reminds me just a little of the new Davis Brown Tower. I love awesome architecture, and while we don’t have a church or building that is of this magnitude we do have a very interesting architectural designed church that has recently been restored and that I saw as part of the Sherman Hill’s Doors of the Past Walking Tour last weekend.

The restoration of the First United Methodist Church building was part of the church celebrating its 100th year as home to Des Moines’ oldest congregation. The church, located at 1001 Pleasant Street, was built in Classic Revival style and first dedicated in 1908. The church is known for its dome with the revolving cross overlooks downtown from a hilltop perch just east of Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

The church has a 40-foot wheel of stained glass, known as the Kingman Memorial Window. The interior of the church was repainted with 19 different colors as part of the restoration efforts. Also restored were the eight columns, which represent the congregation’s eight founding families.

Here are some pictures of the church from both the outside and inside as well as a video about the restoration.

 

By Larry BradshawcloseAuthor: Larry Bradshaw Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: larry@thinkdifferentdesigns.com
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Posted under Living Downtown | Last modified on October 26th, 2008.
Tags: Architecture | Building Spotlight | Sherman Hill | Video