The secret of ceilingless prayer; A church that has made the sky a temple

The city of “New Harmony” in the state of “Indiana” (Indiana) USA, hosts an unusual church that does not actually have a building. The “Church Without a Roof” is an open-air cathedral that invites people of all faiths to worship under the world’s largest roof, the sky. (suzannelovelinc)

Photographer: Unknown / Seeing Creation

The “roofless church” designed by the famous architect Philip Johnson in “New Harmony” is not only an open structure, but also includes the entire surrounding area as part of the space. The place is surrounded by a brick wall, concrete paths and beautiful trees. The focal point of the collection is a dome-shaped canopy covered with cedar wood, which is located in the center of the church and attracts attention.

The history of the city of “New Harmony” is interestingly tied to an idealistic thought. The story goes back to a rich industrialist named “Robert Owen” who, with his social theories, changed the deplorable working conditions in one of the factories in Scotland and increased the profits of the factory. Contrary to the opinion of many people, his changes not only did not reduce the productivity, but also increased the productivity of the workers.

Photographer: unknown / suzannelovellinc

Owen learned from this experience that by improving people’s working conditions, their lives can also be improved, and as a result, people’s character and behavior will also grow. Finally, he achieved an important result; Character formation should be accompanied by happiness; Because according to him, happiness will also be a kind of human religion.

“Robert Owen” managed to test his social theory in 1824 by fully purchasing the city of “Harmony”; The purchase that became the foundation for the first secular utopian experience in American history; But this social experiment failed for various reasons. The most important reason was the unrealistic assumption of “Robert Owen”; He assumed that what worked well in a small town in Scotland could be replicated unchanged in a town in Indiana.

Most of the residents of Harmony were farmers and mechanics and did not feel comfortable joining the new equal society. In fact, these lower-class residents resented the haughty behavior, formal eating habits, and formality imposed on them by the city’s leaders.

Photographer: Unknown / SAH Archipedia

After his death, Robert Owen’s wife asked Philip Johnson to design a lasting memorial to his wife’s desire to create an inspiring place. Johnson’s plan was implemented in 1960; Inspired by the idea that there is only one roof (sky) for all the worshipers of the world.

The dome that Johnson designed had the shape of an “inverted rosebud” and referred to the main symbol of the “New Harmony Society of Equals”; A society that considered the rose as its symbol and sign. This curved structure also provided a protective canopy to protect the central statue. This work, called the descent of the Holy Spirit, is an artistic narration of the moment of the descent of the Holy Spirit and is placed in the center of the dome to complete the meaning of the space.

Photographer: Eames Demetrios / suzannelovellinc

The central statue of the structure originally shows a dove that has three pieces of the sky in its beak, and by putting these pieces together, a robe is formed, from the heart of which “Holy Mary” appears with open hands and full of generosity for all people. The eyes of the dove are open and it means that man sees only with the eyes of the soul.

According to Johnson and his employer, the church was not limited to a specific structure; Because the whole wide area surrounded by brick walls can be considered as a prayer space. A church whose real roof is the sky and only the sky can accommodate a world of worshippers.

Photographer: Eames Demetrios / suzannelovellinc

What do you think about the structure of the church without a roof? Does the idea of ​​a roofless house of worship inspire you or does it seem far-fetched? If you are standing under the open sky, what will attract your attention the most? Please let Kajaro and its users know your valuable opinion.

Cover photo credit: suzannelovellinc, photographer name: Eames Demetrios