For pictures of the church under construction, click here

North Christian Church was designed by Eero Saarinen, who is perhaps best known for his design of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.  Saarinen, who was at the peak of his creative career, was selected in part because he wanted to design a church that would be a "prototype for Twentieth Century Christianity."

Click here to read Saarinen's thoughts on the physical structure of the church. To see some of the plans click here.

After many sketches and a building committee willing to move ahead, on July 28, 1961, Saarinen wrote in his notes that he was finally satisfied with the design of the Columbus church. He died unexpectedly on September 1, 1961, before construction began on the project. The building was completed in 1964 under the supervision of his firm, Eero Saarinen and Associates and the dedicated workmanship of the general contractors, Repp and Mundt of Columbus, Indiana.

The church itself has a central leaded copper spire that rises 192 feet in the air culminating in a five foot tall cross proclaiming Christ to the community. At the very center of the hexagonal church, under the central spire is a communion table. The table is made up of 12 "apostle" tables with a larger "Christ" table at its head. Communion is observed every Sunday by our congregation and is seen as the central part of the worship service, thus its central location.

Seating in the sanctuary completely surrounds the table much as a family gathers around a home dining table. The table then is not only the center of the sanctuary but also the center of the building. There are 455 seats available in the pews and an additional 150 seats available on an upper perimeter bench.

Color is brought to the sanctuary by the choir robes and clergy and deacon bench cushions which change color according to the liturgical season in addition to the many and varied colors that members wear to services. Alexander Girard, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, designed the Tree of Life tapestry that once hung behind the pulpit. The Tree of Life tapestry is now being stored, away from light and air, to preserve its beauty.  Girard also designed the plant stands and candelabras.

The Holtkamp organ is a 47 rank instrument with 2,342 pipes, and was one of the last designs of Walter Holtkamp, Sr. 

A hexagonal-shaped Baptistry is located at  the west entrance to the building in a small 50-seat Chapel.  The Holy Trinity is expressed by the Baptistry grill cover which is a sunburst design for God the Father, the silver cross on the wall represents Christ the Son, and the silver dove in the ceiling represents the Holy Spirit. The congregation practices full immersion baptism of those who are old enough to understand their confession of faith although all forms of Christian baptism are recognized for those transferring into the church.

Classrooms, Conference Room, Adult Library, Childcare Suite,  and offices surround the sanctuary on the Main Level. The Lower Level houses an auditorium to seat 420 persons, kitchen, lounge, youth room, children's library, prayer chapel, music suite, handbell room, and additional classrooms.

A Memorial Garden has been established in an area just outside the church building. Saarinen believed that people coming to church should always be reminded that we are surrounded by the saints that have gone before us.

The church is open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; and opens at  7:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Join us for worship in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Childcare is provided, the church is handicap accessible, and visitors are welcome!

This photo was taken on the slate entry steps looking into the sanctuary.  Here you can see the communion tables which are elevated on the hexagonal shaped dais  You can also see the silver cross located on the Christ table, the two plants stands, and the Holtkamp Organ Pipes.

Photos copyright © Joe Scherschel

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