Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Modern church building at Wacker Drive and Wabash Avenue, Chicago, US
The Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist is a modern building in downtown Chicago featuring a semicircular sanctuary with a distinctive conical roof. Natural daylight filters through a large skylight above the two-tiered worship space, while educational facilities occupy the lower level beneath the main auditorium.
The structure was designed in 1968 by renowned architect Harry Weese during a period of significant religious building renewal. The design earned recognition from architectural circles nearly 30 years later for its innovative approach to modern sacred spaces.
The church hosts weekly classical music concerts that have become a regular cultural event for visitors seeking live performances in a religious setting. These Wednesday programs draw people from across the city who appreciate orchestral and chamber music in this intimate venue.
A footbridge over a sunken garden provides the main entrance and makes access straightforward from street level. The advanced sound system installed throughout the building ensures that visitors seated anywhere in the auditorium can hear clearly during services or performances.
Hidden microphones installed throughout the auditorium allow attendees to share thoughts during services while remaining seated in their pews. This technological feature was unusual when introduced and remains a distinctive element of how the space functions today.
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