St. James Catholic Church, Chicago, IL

This new Romanesque church was designed for the parish of St. James after extensive structural problems meant their original church had to be demolished. The siting of the church makes it visible on many sides, so it was important that the church be beautiful and draw people in from multiple perspectives. The exterior facades feature traditional elements of sacred architecture, such as the rose window above the entrance, that welcome parishioners and visitors. The curved apse in the back and the cupola that rises up out of the church mark the most important space in the church, the sanctuary. There is also a Marian shrine in the back that provides an extra space for prayer and reflection.