Frank Lloyd Wright's 1st Christian Church in Phoenix Arizona

First Christian Church
on 7th Avenue in
Phoenix






Southwest Christian  Seminary commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design an 80-acre university in 1949.  The Seminary closed and the plans sat unused for years.  First Christian Church leaders approached the architect's widow, Olgivanna, and asked her for permission to use her husband's plans for a new church for their growing congregation.  Construction started in 1971 and the first gathering for worship occurred in 1973.

I recognize large pieces of

local stone in the exterior of

this portion of the Church.

Taliesin West's buildings have
the same exterior treatment:
Local stone and concrete

The Church has a low profile

& distinctive spire.

Vent-like projections run
down two of the ridges of
the four-sided roof.

I find birds perched near
 one of the "vents."

Mesh covers the edge
of the spire.

Poured concrete is part of
the building's design.

Eric took this picture to show

how low the exterior entry is.

Frank Lloyd Wright felt that loitering at entries was unnecessary.  His building designs provide a sense of claustrophobia at the entries, encouraging people to move to the interior, without delay.

The bell tower was constructed
years later.

The bell tower has the same

exterior treatment.

It's constructed with local

stone & concrete.

Frank Lloyd Wright's career began in the late 1880s when US architecture was dominated by European designs and influences.  As his career evolved, Wright's organic architectural designs were developed to blend into the American landscape and not strive to dominate it.  

I enjoy taking pictures of buildings across America and see our country's historic origins in Spanish and Northern European inspired buildings.  Exploring modern American architecture allows me to look at this vast and varied country's influences on public buildings, businesses, and private homes.

Some designs delight me.  I find some modern, concrete poured buildings oppressive.  

Appreciation of architecture, like art, is in the eye of the beholder.