When the World Series of baseball was televised recently from St. Louis, MO (home of the Cardinals) I was mesmerized when they would broadcast shots of the fabulous Gateway Arch, one of the most amazing pieces of architecture in this country. Is is art or architecture? It is so enormous, people travel to the top in science fiction-like elevator capsules. Four million people visit it every year. Soaring to a height of 630 feet, it is the United States' tallest man made monument.
The inspired Gateway Arch was designed by architect Eero Saarinen. This American of Finnish descent is known for many acclaimed projects, but I will focus in on his baby in Fort Wayne - the Concordia Lutheran Seminary, off North Clinton near Auburn Road.
The campus is his interpretation of a Scandinavian village. A forested, winding drive takes one past a large statue of Martin Luther. Then the plains and view open to a drive among classrooms, administration offices, dorms and library: A-shaped buildings which seem to colonize together with a fairy-tale uniformity.
A focal point of the 180-acre campus is the chapel with its strikingly steeply-sloped roof. There are diamond-patterned surfaces of brick everywhere, tying the buildings together. Minimalistic, futuristic, there is use of open space that makes sense at a school used for teaching of theology. A thoughtful pond, a beautifully thin waterfall - then one discovers a surprise, such as a large ornate mosaic of a beautiful crowned figure - the King of Kings -behind a glassed entrance way.
I will post some photos of the place when I can take some - it's been raining for two days here. In 2007, Concordia Seminary celebrated its 50th anniversary. A new library expansion was begun at that time, meticulously conforming to the vision and designs of Saarinen. The new library received an occupancy permit in September, but the 45,000 square-foot library addition is still not complete.
So as to maintain the low profile and keep from overwhelming the chapel, most of the library's floor space is below grade. Lower-level windows are at pond level to let in the light. I haven't seen the new library yet, but I want to soon. The seminary is still trying to raise private donations to complete the project. I don't think many people around the country know this place exists. So nestled in off the road, yet minutes from anywhere around Fort Wayne, it's definitely worth a stop.
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