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A Conversation About Two Styles of Christian Science Church Architecture
March 31, 2010
Architects Solon S. Beman and Charles D. Faulkner and their two styles of Christian Science church architecture, were the focus of a talk by Lawrence B. Schlack on March 21. Mr. Schlack took the audience on a photographic journey that compared and contrasted these Chicago architects' designs of Christian Science churches across the United States.
During his illustrated talk, Lawrence shared insights from his 1973 interview with Charles Faulkner, and subsequent discussions with Spencer S. Beman, Solon's son, and members of the Faulkner family. He also referenced Mrs. Eddy's statement, "Our proper reason for church edifices is, that in them Christians may worship God, - not that Christians may worship church edifices!" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, 162:21).
Beman and Faulkner were both Christian Scientists. Beman was a consulting architect on The Mother Church Extension and was involved in remodeling Mary Baker Eddy's last home in Chestnut Hill. Faulkner began his career in Beman's Chicago office and went on to open a firm of his own. These men designed more Christian Science churches than any other architects. Beman promoted the Greek Temple style, which was widely used from the 1890s to 1930. Faulkner promoted the New England Colonial style, which predominated from the 1930s through the 1960s.
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