Built St. Louis > > MidCentury Modernism > > St. Martin de Porres

St. Martin de Porres
615 Dunn Rd, Hazelwood - north County
John C. McEwen w/ Robert F. Rodriguez, 1962

With its curving white concrete skin, swooping roof, and an interior space that moves from compression to release, this church owes a clear debt to Le Corbussier's famed Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut at Ronchamps, France.

On a recent trip I finally found the church open... but also shut down after services. All the lights were off, and for the life of me I couldn't find a caretaker or a light switch. Ah well, next time!

Inside the sanctuary, a row of tiny stained glass windows at the top of the walls lets in a dim filtered light; delightful tree-like light fixtures are scattered throughout the sanctuary. The roof hangs oppressively heavy at the back of the room, but soars skyward over the altar. As far as I know, there is no other space like it in St. Louis.

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