Cool Building Wednesday: Liberty Baptist Church
By Lee BeyCool Building Wednesday: Liberty Baptist Church
By Lee Bey
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(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)