(photo by Lee Bey)

I know, I know. I just profiled a church building two days ago. But it is Cool Building Wednesday, and I daresay mid-century modern Liberty Baptist Church fits the bill. Besides, it’s still open for service. A few quick notes:

• The church, 4849 S. King Drive, was completed in 1956
• The big arched facade is a barrel-like parabolic roof that runs to the back of the building
• The roof is covered in red tile and is composed of laminated wood arches
• The “L” in Liberty’s logo references the arch (I like this)

(photo by Lee Bey)

• Built for a predominantly black congregation
• The main floor was originally designed to seat 1200
• A 90ft bell tower with eight bronze bells imported from Holland was planned, but never built
• Planning for the church began in the mid 1940s
• The architect was William Alderman who died before the church was completed
• Tideman & Connel architects finished the job after Alderman’s death

(photo by Lee Bey)