Local architects honored for work on First Christian Church tower

A local architecture firm is being recognized for its work restoring the iconic tower at First Christian Church in Columbus.

The Partners for Sacred Places recently announced its annual Religious Architecture and Art Award Winners for 2024 and Louis Joyner Architects of Columbus has received the Restoration Award.

The church and tower were designed by architect Eliel Saarinen in 1942 and it is recognized as one of the first Modernist church designs in the United States. However, a 2019 assessment of its condition found significant cracking, delaminating of the veneer, rust and other problems.

The repairs were completed in 2023, in a $3.2 million project that included community donations, and grants from the National Fund for Sacred Places, the National Parks Service, and the Jeffris Family Foundation.

The jury comments for the Partners for Sacred Places competition called it “wonderful to see that this modern landmark church is receiving such thoughtful care.”