Chicago and St. Louis: Differences in Ecclesiastical Archtitecture

Recently, while in Chicago, Rob Powers and I drove around looking for all of the churches that I've always seen from the interstates and wondered what they were like. One in particular, right down in one of the oldest parts of the city is this church, which I suspect is a Jesuit church since their motto is emblazoned on the front. The aspect of this church that struck me most is that it is in a Baroque Revival Style, which is a revival of the style of architecture I studied in grad school. Typified by often ornate, and extremely dramatic decorations, the Baroque Style was perfected by one of my favorite sculptors and architects, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. You can see an example of his architecture and sculpture at my other, largely inactive blog on Roman Patina.

As I was photographing this church, I realized something; Chicago has all sorts of churches inspired by Baroque architecture, but for the life of me, I can't think of a major church anywhere in St. Louis that is.

I know St. Louis has tons of Romanesque and Gothic Revival churches, and I wonder if it reflects the places in Germany, Italy and Ireland that many immigrants hail in Europe.

Conversely, while the Italy and Germany have plenty of Baroque churches, perhaps Chicago's large Polish population influenced the construction of Baroque Revival churches, as the country is well-represented in that style. Or perhaps, it simply came down to the taste of the particular archbishops who ruled over the two cities. Personality of patrons has influenced art history throughout the last several thousands millennia, so that may simple be the case here.

Louis Sullivan Mausolea in St. Louis and Chicago

I've looked at Louis Sullivan's masterpiece, the Wainwright Tomb in Bellefontaine Cemetery in the past, but a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the other two mausolea designed by the great architect in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery.

The first one, the Ryerson Mausoleum is relatively conservative, though even in the Egyptian Revival structure there are traces of Sullivan's innovation, first with the use of black granite and also with the overall proportions, making the tomb stand out from its surroundings.

The Getty Mausoleum is more stereotypically Sullivanesque, with its ornate and anti-classical metalwork and stonework.

Read more about the two mausolea here, at the Graceland Cemetery website.

The contrast between Sullivan's tombs, and their Neo-Classical, Beaux-Arts neighbors demonstrates just how innovative he was when most architecture still looked to the past for inspiration.

New Post at Chicago Patina

Check it out here. Chicago Patina will feature old posts on Saint Louis Patina that may have been missed in the past, as it gets going again after a year hiatus.

Washburne Trade School Coming Down

I had heard that Washburne was coming down quickly, but I was stunned at the rate of progress. I parked along the street in front, got out and took some photos, wished I had some money for tacos from the stand by me, and then got back on the road.


You can't tell me they couldn't find a use for this building? Damage from the fire, which precipitated the demolition--supposedly--is evident in several photos. Check out my other photos here and here.

When the demolition is complete, this will be the largest building I have ever been inside that has been destroyed.A dubious distinction, indeed.

Washburne Trade School Comng Down

Reading around the web, I found out that the fabled Washburne Trade School in Chicago is being demolished as we speak.

Why Do We Live Like This?

Kennedy Expressway Fun

New Contemporary Wing at Chicago's Art Institute

Pullman Arches

New Post at Chicago Patina

Actually, I think Chicago Patina will go on hiatus for a while, but for now, here are photos of Washburne Trade School, now gloriously abandoned.

New Post at Chicago Patina

Come see my adventures at Washburne Trade School.

New Post at Chicago Patina

A cool building in the heart of the Loop.

New Post at Chicago Patina

Check it out here.

New Post at Chicago Patina

New post over at Chicago Patina.

Off to Chicago

I am going to Chicago for the weekend; see new material soon from Chicago's South Side.

Ohio House Motel at Chicago Patina

Check out my new pictures of a 1960's vintage motel in Chicago along Ohio Avenue.

New Post at Chicago Patina

View recent pictures of the Haymarket in the West Loop at Chicago Patina.

Chicago Patina

I have decided to start a second blog featuring my photographic material of the Windy City. Check it out here. I don't plan on posting over there nearly as much as I do here, but I will post a reminder if I add anything over at Chicago Patina.

Windy City

This is crazy; I was walking down this street a couple of hours before this happened.

Name This Chicago Theater