Columbus, Indiana
Columbus, Indiana is the quintessential small midwestern town. That is, except for one thing; the architecture. In 1991, the AIA (American Institute of Architects) rated Columbus sixth on its list of the top 10 American cities for architectural quality and innovation. It seems little Columbus is in the company of giants such as Chicago, New York and San Francisco. No wonder that it’s known as the “Athens of the Prairie”. Not bad for a town of about 50,000 people!
The Cummins Foundation, a philanthropic organization has since 1957 funded the architectural fees for many public buildings in the county. Their mission is to “contribute to the unique role excellence in architecture plays as a cornerstone of the quality of life.” As a result, world-renown architects have designed over 55 projects. The result of this is an amazing array of architecture. This spirit has apparently spread to semi-public buildings. For example, famous architects have designed a number of churches in Columbus . It is not clear if the Cummins Foundation was involved in these.
North Christian Church
I visited Columbus in 2015 for a very short stop in the middle of a long road trip from Ohio. The North Christian Church was my favorite site.
World-famous Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen designed the church. Unfortunately, Saarinen died without ever getting to see the building. The church completed in 1964, is on the US National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and a US National Historic Landmark (NHL). Only about 3% or NHRP sites are also NHL sites indicating their outstanding historical significance.
The congregation has struggled to maintain this beautiful structure. Sadly, on July 16th, 2022 the congregation held a final “Celebration of Life” service for the church. And with that, the church was permanently closed. America does a number of things for which we can be proud. However, honoring and revering our history and heritage is frequently not one of them. To be clear, I don’t blame the congregation. No doubt, they did all in their limited power to maintain the church. It is just that we as a society often get distracted by the new shiny thing. As a result, we fail to appreciate the beauty and grace of the past. Sad.
Brownsville Covered Bridge – Mill Race Park
Columbus’s architectural heritage doesn’t just include newer structures. The old (1840) Brownsville Covered Bridge at Mill Race Park is a prime example. When the original bridge was irreparably damaged, the Brownsville bridge was reconfigured to take its place.
Set on the edge of a large circular pond, it creates an idyllic scene. It just seems like the perfect spot to while away the hours on a nice summer day.
Other Photos
While the 2 images above are my favorites, I did manage to get a few others during my short visit. I just wish I had more time to spend there. Quite simply, Columbus, Indiana is an architecture lover’s dream. Renowned architect, Frank Gehry, has said architects should create designs that give us “something to think about”. The architecture of Columbus, Indiana is testament to that philosophy.
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