THE PATRON CHURCH

Museum of Contemporary Crafts

29 West 53rd Street, New York, N. Y.

October 11, 1957 through January 5, 1958

I'oreword The history of art and architecture was written

to a great degree by the hand of the church

as patron. That eclecticism of a later time

should ultimately spend itself in mediocrity and

devitalized forms was inevitable,

just as it was inevitable that an increased

awareness of spiritual values in our time should

be accompanied by a contemporary expression

in religious art and architecture.

The exhibition "The Patron Church" pays

tribute to the church which is again an important

patron through the efforts of enlightened

clergy, congregations and officials.

Also, as a survey of recent work in the

liturgical arts, this exhibition presents the

opportunity for church officials and the

public to see and appraise a movement which

promises a great future.

We express our sincere appreciation to the

architects, artists, craftsmen, photographers,

and to patrons who have lent objects to the

exhibition. All have contributed immeasurably

to its success. Our appreciation is also

extended to Mrs. Katherine McClinton, author

of THE CHANGING CHURCH,for valuable contacts

and interest, and to Edward Fields, Inc.,

who volunteered to execute for the exhibition

tapestries, designed by Hans Moller and

Abraham Rattner, which will be presented to

a Christian church and a synagogue.

Through the close cooperation and support of

Mrs. Otto Spaeth and of Mr. Harris Prior,

Director of the American Federation of Arts,

the architectural section will be incorporated

in the Federation's forthcoming exhibition

"God and Man."

THOMAS S. TIBBS, Director

Introduction 'Ioday there is a wide-spread and growing

interest in contemporary religious art in

the United States. Appropriately, the Museum

of Contemporary Crafts starts its second year

with the exhibition "'Ihe Patron Church,"

which brings to the attention of the general

public the great strides that have been made

recently in the .field of religious architecture

and arts. 'Ihe exhibition was developed to

show the extent to which churches in the

United States have emerged as stimulating and

influential patrons of architects, artists

and craftsmen who are prominent in the .field

of contemporary design.

'Ihe steady increase of membership in the

churches of this country during the twelve

years since the end of the Second World War

is one clear-cut feature of a complex and

otherwise confusing period in our history.

It is reassuring that a serious revival of

interest in religion and concern for spiritual

values competes with the materialism of these

prosperous and expansive times.

'Ihe works of art in the exhibition "'Ihe Patron

Church" provide an interesting insight into

this arresting phenomenon,for the growth of

the churches has been accompanied by the need

for new and larger religious buildings

and for appointments and ceremonial objects

to go with them.

Significantly, the best in contemporary design,

as the exhibition reveals, is now sought

by many churchmen, who understand the fact

that deep religious feeling and doctrine can be

better communicated through the new and vital

art forms of today than by means of the

worn out art styles of the past.

'Ihe recognition of the validity of contemporary

design by the clergy, church officials, and

laity is a recent occurrence. An exhibition

of the depth and quality of "'Ihe Patron Church"

with its emphasis on outstanding examples of

contemporary design to fill the needs of churches

would not have been possible ten years ago.

At that time, examples were sparse;

now, most of the leading artists and craftsmen

of the United States are greatly interested

t

in religious art, and many of their efforts

are directed towardfilling religious commissions

or producing religious works on their own.

'Ihe intensity of interest on the part of the

churches and artists in this relatively new

area of creative expression has resulted in

many works of art of high calibre. 'Ihis large

body of notable religious art adds a new and

highly desirable dimension to the contemporary

movement in art as a whole. In this connection,

the position of the churches in the mainstream

of art movements in the past is recalled,

and a parallel with the current situation

is suggested. In thefinal analysis, the

status of the arts in the United States

can only improve and wax stronger with this

new augmentation.

'Ihe importance of the selection of the

contemporary mode of expression for church art

cannot be over-emphasized. 'Ihe modern art

movement in this country has expanded beyond

its secular confines into the new field

that touches the very core of man's existence.

'Ihe architectural examplesfeatured in the

exhibition, the works in stained glass, metal

and wood, the vestments and hangings, indicate

that an impressive return has been made by

churches as patrons of art. Fine examples of

contemporary religious structures, Protestant,

Catholic and Jewish, furnished with appointments

consistent with the style of the architecture,

may now be seen throughout the country.

It has been demonstrated that beautiful and

successful modern churches may be built on

very limited budgets, and that fine contemporary

design is not a commodity that only wealth

can obtain.

'Ihe religious art movement has taken firm root.

It is bound to flourish in the next decades

as the population of the United States grows

to an extraordinary degree. Many new

communities will develop with religious needs

that will have to be fulfilled. Looking ahead to

future demands, the possibility of a great

outpouring of religious art is an exciting

prospect. 'Ihere is every reason to expect

that the achievements already realized are

merely harbingers of even finer things to come.

ROBERT A. LAURER, Assistant Director

Architecture 'The architectural section of the exhibition

highlights fourteen recent examples of religious buildings in the United States.

Some of these have already become classics

in contemporary architecture.

'These particular structures were chosen

not only for the excellence of their designs

as a whole, but also for the reason that

the decorative elements and objects of worship

harmonize with the architecture down to the

smallest detail. 'This highly desirable quality

resulted from the close cooperation between

the architect and the craftsmen who designed

and executed the windows, altarfurnishings,

hangings, and other ceremonial objects

and appointments .

.An examination of the photographs, models and

other related material on exhibition shows

a diversity of approach to the solution of

problems relating to site,form and materials.

Each solution here is highly successful,

and answers well the special requirements

of the religious group for which the building

was created.

CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS Sedona, Arizona

Anshen and Allen, architects, San Francisco, California

Model lent by the architects Photographers:

Julius Shulman, Los Angeles, California Roger Sturtevant, San Francisco, California

CEN T R AL L U THERAN CHURCH Portland, Oregon

Pietro Belluschi, architect, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Photographer : K. E. Richardson, Portland, Oregon

ST. GEORGE 'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Durham, New Hampshire

John A. Carter, architect, Nashua, New Hampshire

Photographer: Robert Sowers, New York City

CONGR EGATION BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

South Orange, New Jersey ( under construction)

Davis, Brody and Wisniewski, architects, New York City

Models lent by the architects Tapestry designed by Samuel G. Wiener, Jr.,

executed by Edward Fields, Inc. Eternal light and model for the Menorah

by Judith Brown Model for the sculptural screen by Judith Brown

and Samuel G. Wiener, Jr. Stained glass designed by Samuel G . Wiener,

Jr., executed by the M. and]. McLoughlin Studios, New York City

Special materials for the exhibition : Glazed brick supplied by Claycraft Co., Columbus, Ohio Grilles supplied by Borden Metal Products Co., Elizabeth, New Jersey

General Contractor: Max Drill, Inc., Newark, New Jersey

Photographer: Louis Checkman, New York City

SAN LORENZO COMMUNITY CHURCH

San Lorenzo, California (formerly the Seabee Chapel, Camp Parks, California)

Bruce Goff, architect, Bartlesville, Oklahoma Crucifix by Herring Coe, lent by the U.S. Naval

Construction Battalion Center Museum, Port Hueneme, California

Photographer: G. E. Kidder Smith, New York City

DANFORTH CHAPEL Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

James M. Hunter, architect, Boulder, Colorado Cross, crucifix and candelabra

by Lynn R. Wolfe, lent by Danforth Chapel Model of angel relief for the door

by Lynn R. Wolfe, lent by the artist Photographer :

Warren Reynolds, Minneapolis, Minnesota

KNESES TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

Port Chester, New York Philip C. Johnson, architect, New York City Model of the wall section lent by the architect Photographer: Ezra Stoller, New York City

MILTON STEINBERG HOUSE Park 'Avenue Synagogue, New York City

Kelly and Gruzen, architects, New York City Trial section of stained glass window

designed and executed by Adolph Gottlieb, lent by the artist

Trial section of stained glass window designed by Adolph Gottlieb, executed and lent by Heinigke and Smith (Frederick L. Leuchs, Inc.)

Model for Ark door by Calvin Albert, lent by Dr. and Mrs. M. Joel Freedman

Photographer: Ben Schnall, New York City

EMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Spokane, Washington McClure and Adkinson, architects,

Spokane, Washington Photographer :

Dearborn-Massar, Seattle, Washington

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER White Plains, New York

Fritz Nathan, architect, New York City Model executed by Norman Briskman,

lent by the architect Photographers:

Lionel Freedman, New York City Robert Sowers, New York City

Unless otherwise indicated, objects are lent by the artist.

MARK ADAMS San Francisco, California

Tapestry «Archangel" / wool Woven by Atelier Anne de ~atrebarbes

ANNIALBERS New Haven, Connecticut

Tapestry "La Luz" / wool, cotton and metallic Lent by Richard Lippold, New York

CALVIN ALBERT Brooklyn, New York

"Crucifixion" /lead Lent by the Grace Borgenicht Gallery, New York

Model for Ark doors, Steinberg House /lead Lent by Dr. and Mrs. M.JoelFreedman, JV'. r.

Model of candelabrum, Temple Israel, Tulsa, Oklahoma /lead

HORTENSE AMRAM Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Curtain for Ark / rayon with metallics

PAUL ASCHENBACH Charlotte, Vermont

Crucifix / wrought iron Lent by Robert Hull Fleming Museum, University oj Vermont

Station of the cross / wrought iron Lent by the Sculpture Center, New York

JAMES AVERY Kerrville, 'Texas

Pectoral cross / brass and silver Pectoral cross / copper and silver Pectoral cross / silver, onyx, jade and ebony Pectoral cross / brass

"Ichthus" / wood

MARIETTE BEVINGTON Yonkers, New York

"Temptation of Christ" / stained glass "The Burning Bush" / cement and cast glass

MARY BOWLING Los Angeles, California

"Hurt Not the Earth" / intarsia Lent by the Dalzell Hatfield Galleries, Los Angeles

KATHARINE L. BREYDERT New York City

"Awakening of Lazarus" / embroidered silk "Heavenly Jerusalem" / embroidered silk "Last Supper" / embroidered silk "Christ the Baptized"/ embroidered silk

JUDITH BROWN New York City

Eternal Light / steel and brass Model for Menorah / steel and brass Model for sculptural screen / steel and brass

With Samuel Wiener, Jr., New York City All for Congregation Beth EI Synagogue, South Orange, New Jersey Lent by Davis, Brody and 'Visniewski, N. Y.

Crucifix / brazed steel and brass Lent by Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Smith, N. Y.

ALEXANDER CALD ER Roxbury, Connecticut

Rosary / metal and wood Lent by J\!Irs. Kenneth F. Simpson, New York

VIRGIL CANTINI Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Crown of Thoms" / enamel on copper Lent by The Reverend Hugh S. Clark, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Jesus on the Cross" / copper and bronze Station of the cross No. 14 "Jesus Buried" /

enamel on copper Lent by St. James Church, Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Pair of altar candlesticks / enamel on copper and brass Lent by 'Ihe Most Reverend John F. Dearden, Bishop of Pittsburgh

HERRING COE Beaumont, 'Iexas

Crucifix for Seabee Chapel/wood Lent by U. S. Naval Construction Battalion Center Museum, Port Hueneme, California

1

1 J

ANDREW & MURIEL DEY De Land, Florida

Pectoral cross "Go Ye into all the World" / silver

Pectoral cross "I Am the Vine" / silver Pectoral cross / silver Pectoral cross / silver

Lent by 'Ihe Reverend Canon LeRoy D. Lawson, De Land, Florida

KARL DRERUP Campton, New Hampshire

Wall cross / enamel and pewter Wall cross / cloisonne enamel and pewter

Pewter frames by George Salo, Sutton, N. H.

E D RIS ECKHARDT Cleveland Heights, Ohio

"Veronica's Veil" / copper relief Lent by St. James Church, Cleveland, Ohio

P AUL EVANS New Hope, Pennsylvania

Holy water basin / lead and gold leaf Menorah / bronze Altar / slate, bronze and wood

Executed by Paul Evans and Phillip Powell

L OUIS FERON New York City

Head of Christ / mahogany Crucifix / silver and bronze Pectoral cross / gold, platinum,

diamonds and lapis lazuli Pieta / bronze Study for Pieta. / gilded plaster

EMIL FREI. IN C. St. Louis, Missouri

Window "Benedicite" / stained glass Executed by JVilliam Schickel For the De Bourgh Catholic High School Chapel, St. Louis

ADOLPH GOTTLIEB Brooklyn, New Yurk

Window / stained glass Trial section for Steinberg House, New York

Window / stained glass Trial section for Steinberg House, New York Executed by Heinigke and Smith (Frederick L. Leuchs, Inc.), New York

Tapestry / wool Trial section for Temple Beth £1, Springfield, Massachusetts Executed and lent by Edward Fields, Inc., New York

ANN H. GRILL Chicago, Illinois

Liturgical vesture / silk Lent by the Reverend Richard MacDonald, Memphis, Tennessee

TRUDE GUERMONPREZ San Francisco, California

Tapestry "Cross" / cotton, wool, linen and metallic

JACK LENOR LARSEN New York City

Casement / linen For the Jewish Chapel, Brandeis Interfaith Center, Waltham, Massachusetts

KARL LARSSON Santa Fe, New Mexico

Crucifix / silver and wood

SEYMOUR LIPTON New York City

Eternal light / nickel-silver and steel Replica oj Eternal Light in 'I'emple Beth EI, Gary, Indiana

PETER MACCHIARINI San Francisco, California

Star of David pendant / silver and copper Lent by Mrs. Pearl Narrol, New York

BARBARA M ARKEY Boston, Massachusetts

Liturgical vesture / silk and metallic Lent by the Catholic Chaplain, Kresge Interfaith Chapel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts

Liturgical vesture / silk and metallic Lent by The Reverend Father James Liberty, Natick, Massachusetts .

Liturgical vesture / silk and metallic Lent by 'Ike Reverend Father William Nelligan, Northeast Harbor, Maine

MARY ELLEN MC DERMOTT Akron, Ohio

"Via Dolorosa" stations of the cross / enamel on copper

"Coronation of the Virgin" / enamel on copper "The Apostles" / enamel on copper

Lent by 'Ihe Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio

JOSEPH MEERT New York City

"Crucifixion" / stained glass

HAROLD MILBRATH Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chalice / silver and ebony Lent by Capitol Drive Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chalice and paten / silver Lent by 'Ike Reverend Robert Pavlak, S .J., New Orleans, Louisiana

HANS MOLLER New York City

Tapestry / wool Executed by Edward Fields, Inc., New York,

for the exhibition, to be presented to a church

JEAN NISON New York City

Station of the Cross / ceramic tile Four Christian symbols / ceramic tile

PHILIP NOTERIANI New York City

Crucifixion / bronze Head of Christ / bronze

Both lent by the Sculpture Center, New York

RONALD PEARSON Rochester, New York

Cross/silver and rosewood

ROBERT PINART New York City

Window / stained glass Pair of Ark tapestries : "Pillar of Fire", "Pillar of Cloud" / wool

Executed by Edward Fields, Inc., New York Book of Memory / brass, enamel and stones

Brass work by D. Accinelli

HAROLD PRIDE Arlington, Massachusetts

Pectoral cross / silver, enamel and wood

ARTHUR PULOS Syracuse, New York

Altar bowl and candlesticks / pewter Lent by The Wesley Foundation, University oj Illinois

Alms basons / silver Lent by St . Philip's Church in the Highlands, Garrison-on-Hudson, New York

ROBERT E. RAMBUSCH New York City

Diptych "Our Lady of the Pillar" / tempera on wood

Diptych / Patron Saints Harold and Olaf / tempera on wood

Diptych / Patron Saints with Madonna and Child / tempera on wood Lent by Robert Pinart, New York

LILLI RANKIN Lawrence, Kansas

Hanging "The King" / mixed materials with applique and embroidery

Hanging "Gabriel" / mixed materials with applique and embroidery

Hanging "Three Wise Men" / mixed materials with applique and embroidery

Hanging" Angel" / mixed materials with applique and embroidery

ABRAHAM RATTNER New York City

Tapestry / wool Executed by Edward Fields, Inc.,

Jor the exhibition, to be given to a synagogue

HERMAN ROTH Larchmont, New York

Menorah / silver and wood Lent by Dr. and Mrs. Abram KanoJ, N. Y.

WILLIAM ROTSLER Camarillo, California

Sculpture "Cathedral" / bronze "Book of Three Kings" / bronze

Lent by Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles "Christ Crucified" / bronze

Lent by Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles

HENRY ROX South Hadley, Massachusetts

Sculpture" Arise!" / terra cotta Sculpture "Virgin and Child" / terra cotta

Lent by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg, N. Y.

ELSA SCHMID Rye, New York

"Sunset Calvary" / mosaic and fresco Panel "Chorale Prelude" / mosaic and fresco

GARCIE M. SCHOOLFIELD San Antonio, 'Iexas

Dossal / silk, linen and metallic

PEARL SHECTER New York City

Pendant "Star" / silver Pendant "Cross" I silver

Lent by Mrs. Otto Spaeth, New York Pendant "Cross" / silver

ELLEN SIMON New York City

"Ruth and Naomi" / stained glass window

ROBERT SOWERS New York City

"Rebirth" / stained glass window Trial section of window / stained glass and bronze For Stephens College Chapel, Columbia, Mo.

FRANCIS STEPHEN Enid, Oklahoma

Pendant "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego" / silver and gold Lent by Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Stewart, Dallas, 'Iexas

Pin "Elijah" / silver and gold

ZELDA THOMAS STRECKER Mechanicville, New York

Hanging (Christian) / silk screen on linen Hanging (Jewish) / silk screen and applique

on burlap Hanging (Jewish) / appliqued felt Dossal / silk screen on linen

SAHL SWARZ New York City

"Thorns" / bronze Lent by the Sculpture Center, New York

LENORE TAWNEY Chicago, Illinois

Tapestry "Three Kings" / wool, silk, linen and goat hair

ANGELO TESTA & COMPANY Chicago, Illinois

Panel/fiberglass For Faith United Protestant Church, Park Forest, Illinois

CHARLOTTE M. ULLMAN Maplewood, New Jersey

"The Book of Ruth and Boaz" / leather binding "Life of Christ" / leather binding

ILSE VON DRAGE Lummi Island, Washington

Group of crosses / silver and enamel St. Helena chalice / cloisonne on silver

Lent by Convent of St. Helena, Newburgh, New York

Pyx / silver and enamel Lent by 'The Reverend Richard J. Douaire, Chicago, Illinois

RUTH ROBINSON WARNER Nashville, 'Tennessee

Altar Frontal and Super Frontal/wool, rayon and metallic Lent by Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh

SAMUEL G. WIENER, JR. New York City

Window / stained glass Model for sculptural screen / steel and brass

In collaboration with Judith Brown, N. Y. Tapestry / wool

A.ll items made for Congregation Beth El Synagogue, South Orange, New Jersey Lent by Davis, Brody and Wisniewski, architects

HENRY LEE WILLET STUDIO Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Window "Daily Bread" / stained glass For St. John's Lutheran Church, La Grange, Illinois

Rose window / stained glass For meditation chapel, First Methodist Church, Niles, Ohio

Window "Lord's Prayer" / stained glass For St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Savannah, Ga.

LYNN R. WOLFE Boulder, Colorado

Cross / enamel on copper Crucifix / steel and copper Candlesticks / walnut and copper

A.bove items lent by the Danforth Chapel, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.

Door" Angel" / copper Model for the Danforth Chapel

"Eagle" / Mexican glass tile mosaic Lent by the First Congregational Church, Boulder, Colorado

LUDWIG WOLPERT New York City

Menorah / brass Eternal Light / brass Breastplate / silver

TRUSTEES

Mrs. Vanderbilt Webb, President

David R. Campbell, Executive Vice-President

Kenneth Chorley, Vice-President

William]. Barrett, Treasurer

Mary Vail Andress, Secretary

Mark Ellingson, Chairman, Finance Committee

Alfred Auerbach

Richard F. Bach

Rene D'Harnoncourt

Dorothy Draper

Ely Jacques Kahn

Henry Kluck

V. Lada-Mocarski

Jack Lenor Larsen

Dorothy Liebes

Harvey K. Littleton

Florence H. Pettit

Meyric R. Rogers

Jean Sulzberger

Robert Turner

Marguerite Wildenhain

Jackson Woolley

Edward Wormley

MUSEUM STAFF

Thomas S. Tibbs, Director

Robert A. Laurer, Assistant Director

Charles L. Burwell, Business Administrator

Patricia Folk, Secretary

Joan Carvajal, Librarian

Gertrude Jack, Receptionist

Esther Rolick, Receptionist

Eleanor DaCorte, Recorder

Irving Zaslofsky, Guard

Carl Wallach, Guard

Al Zaino, Superintendent

Thomas Poi tier, Assistant Superintendent

CREDITS

Brownjohn, Chermayeff & Geismar, catalog

The Thistle Press, printing

Merit Studios, photomurals