“If a building is honest, the architecture is religious.”

These are the words of renowned Finnish-American architect Eliel Saarinen, designer of Christ Church Lutheran. Saarinen’s “honest” use of light, brick, stone and concrete created a space of stunning simplicity, tranquility, and spirituality. Since its construction in 1949, the sanctuary of Christ Church has been the focus of fascination by architects, photographers, students, and those seeking a place of worship and community, beauty and solace. Christ Church Lutheran is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated in January 2009 as a National Historic Landmark. In 1977, the building received the American Institute of Architects’ 25-Year Award, crediting the influence of the building on church design in the second half of the 20th century. In the award, the AIA described the church as “a living symbol of architectural integrity….a building with great dramatic effect and architectural impact, and yet which retains a very human scale and possesses a feeling of serenity and repose.”

When the congregation of Christ Church Lutheran sought to expand the sanctuary facility with an education wing, they looked to Eliel’s famous son, Eero. Though Eero is known for his exuberantly futuristic buildings—such as the St. Louis Arch or Dulles Airport—the education wing is subdued: a subordinate, yet lovely and joyful homage to his father’s masterpiece. It was completed in 1962, and houses a beautiful lounge, spacious education rooms, a sky-lit Atrium, Preschool, and Gymnasium with a theater stage.

The joined pair of buildings stands today as a rare example of the father’s and son’s individual works combined.

The people of Christ Church Lutheran invite you to enjoy this architecturally remarkable, spiritually fulfilling, and historic space—and experience our welcoming community—at our regular Sunday worship services, or by arranging a tour.

"Christ Church Lutheran, Minneapolis, MN, holds national significance as one of the most celebrated works by Eliel Saarinen, who was among the nation’s most acclaimed architects and architectural educators of the 20th century. Saarinen was on the leading edge of the modernist movement and played a pivotal role in the emergence of modernist religious architecture in the United States." Read More...

— From the News Release Interior Secretary Kempthorne Designates 9 National Historic Landmarks in 9 States, January 16, 2009, U.S. Department of the Interior

Additional coverage and images in the Star Tribune:

Landmark church takes its place in history by Rochelle Olson

A portfolio of images by architect Pete Sieger, working with Tom Dolan, to record the beauty of Eero Saarinen's design of Christ Church Lutheran.

Christ Church Lutheran and Saarinen Timeline:

1873: Eliel Saarinen born in Rantasalmi, Finland
1910: Eero Saarinen born in Kirkkonummi, Finland
1923: Saarinen family moves to the United States
1932: Eliel becomes president of Cranbrook Academy of Art
1936: Eero joins father's firm and Cranbrook faculty
1940: With Charles Eames, Eero wins two first prizes for furniture design, Museum of Modern Art
1949: Christ Church Lutheran is built
1950: Eliel dies in Bloomfield Hills, MI
1952: Eero is elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
1961: Eero dies in Ann Arbor, MI
1962: Christ Church Lutheran’s Education wing is completed
1962: Eero posthumously awarded AIA’s Gold Medal
1965: St Louis Gateway Arch completed
1977: Christ Church Lutheran receives AIA’s 25-Year Award
2001: Christ Church Lutheran receives National Register of Historic places designation
2009: Christ Church Lutheran receives National Historic Landmark designation

For more information, visit the Friends of Christ Church Lutheran website at www.FriendsofCCL.org.