churchs-of-gc
The Churches of Granite City, IL
A Photographic Collection of Midwestern Faith
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Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, Granite City, IL
Architect: Henry R. Gabriel (1926 - 2015)
Built: 1953
Denomination: Catholic
St. Elizabeth's is a delightful example of modernist architecture, and likely one of the more well-known churches in the area on account of their annual "St. E Picnic," the largest and best-attended carnival in Granite City.
Notice the space-age details, from that terrifying pointy steel cross to the courtyard gates that I would love to steal. Overall, the church is a very imaginative building, although I found that the parking lot could use a little less imagination.
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Hello there!
My name is Lily, and I’m a soon-to-be Cornell Architecture student (B. Arch ‘27). Churches of Granite City is exactly what it sounds like: an ongoing project to document places of worship in my hometown, and to appreciate everyday architectural diversity. Now, you might be thinking…
Why churches?
In a small factory town like GC, architectural excellence isn’t exactly a priority; most buildings are constructed as practically (i.e. cheaply) as possible, without much regard for their visual design. Places of worship are a notable exception to this, as their construction and maintenance are typically funded by parishioners who have a vested interest in the beauty of the building.
Due to a rich history of immigration from various parts of Eastern and Central Europe, Granite City has a LOT of different religious organizations, which means lots of churches designed and built in different time periods. In this way, Granite City’s churches act as a tangible record of architectural movements over time, as filtered through the financial and design constraints of a Midwestern steel town.
With this project, I hope to shed some light on the everyday availability of great and exciting architecture, and encourage others to look for similar gems in their own communities. Enjoy!
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