Historic Pittsburgh Parishes
Here is a link from the Pittsburgh diocesan website, documenting photographs from various parishes around Allegheny county. A couple of thoughts:
1) This website is outstanding pictorial evidence of the general malaise afflicting Catholic architecture in this country. Seeing the historic church pictures side by side with their modern replacements throws into high relief the degeneracy of contemporary church architecture.
2) It is interesting to note that many of the modern monstrosities were constructed starting in the 1950's, i.e. pre-Vatican II. This supports my view that there was something wrong with the American Church well in advance of the Council. I think that Vatican II merely served to expose fundamental flaws within the American Church, and did not, in fact, create them.
1) This website is outstanding pictorial evidence of the general malaise afflicting Catholic architecture in this country. Seeing the historic church pictures side by side with their modern replacements throws into high relief the degeneracy of contemporary church architecture.
2) It is interesting to note that many of the modern monstrosities were constructed starting in the 1950's, i.e. pre-Vatican II. This supports my view that there was something wrong with the American Church well in advance of the Council. I think that Vatican II merely served to expose fundamental flaws within the American Church, and did not, in fact, create them.
posted by John Cassian at Saturday, January 28, 2006
1 Comments:
Wow, St. Paul's Cathedral is incredible! As are most of the 19th century parish buildings.
The St. James situation made me sick to my stomach. Not much less shocking was St. Joseph's.
I thought the major transition started in the Post-war era. Not surprisingly by the 60's all is lost, save St. Brigid's. The influence of Frank Loyd Wright seems obvious.
The situation is very similar in Buffalo.
I must say I've seen copious evidence over the last few years on behalf of your thesis about there being *serious* problems in the 50's.
Post a Comment
<< Home