Universal Church Almost Ready, Still Ugly
Cleanliness mat be next to Godliness, but apparently good design is not. (At least not any more. In former times, religion was obviously a great sponsor of inspiring architecture.) We first spotted signs of this $12 million project by the Universal Church a couple of years ago. At the time, we said, “Frankly, we can’t…
Cleanliness mat be next to Godliness, but apparently good design is not. (At least not any more. In former times, religion was obviously a great sponsor of inspiring architecture.) We first spotted signs of this $12 million project by the Universal Church a couple of years ago. At the time, we said, “Frankly, we can’t see why the area needs a new church when beautiful old churches like St. Bartholomew are having such a difficult time remaining solvent.” On the upside, though, perhaps the presence of a religious institution will help clean up this corner of Classon and Fulton which has been plagued by a variety of sinners for years.
Development Watch: Universal Church at 1091 Fulton [Brownstoner] GMAP
Another Church on Fulton (As If It Needs One) [Brownstoner] DOB
‘Bring it, BRG!’
Let thy words by few – Ecclesiastes 5:2
He who is without sin cast the first stone.
“…and only the good die young.”
Its the walmartization of god, he’s handy and available in a non-threatening generic gray building that you feel comfortable in, whose message can change with the economic climate, and which one could convert into a Duane Reade if necessary.
Bring it, BRG!
‘BRG…I see QOTD again!!!’
Yes, DIBS…and we can spend all day and over 100 posts debating how much of a sinner I am 🙂
Montrose;
Nice post, which is more than I can say for Brownstoner’s commentary on the matter.
I found the following comment from Brownstoner to be an eye-opener:”Frankly, we can’t see why the area needs a new church when beautiful old churches like St. Bartholomew are having such a difficult time remaining solvent.”
In other words, the doctrine of the church and the manner in which it expresses that faith via the building’s archtecture is quite irrelevant. In Brownstoner’s eyes, it seems their main function is to prop up buildings that he deems pleasing to his sensibility.
Yeah, according to Brownstoner, the congregants of the Universal Church should have called up the Diocese of Brooklyn, and told them that they should hand over the keys of St. Bart’s to them, so as to preserve the building for the enjoyment of folks who have no interest in either faith. Good grief, can you be any more dismissive of organized religion than this!!!
I also find it amusing that Brownstoner states that there are too many churches in the area. I am curious to see if Brownstoner has ever remarked that there are too many condominiums, chi-chi shops or cafes in an area. Hey, that would come close to biting the hand that feeds you. That might take real journalistic guts.
traditional religions are full of failures, and i understand the idea that one shows his respect for god through respect of his physical self. but the message of some of these megachurch religions that outward signs of excessive prosperity (clothing, cars, technology, homes) are proof of or even requirements of “blessedness” is really, really disgusting. the history of religious architecture is complex, but when we look back 30 or 50 years from now, the assessment of these and other megachurches will look more like the examination of mcmansions and big-box stores than anything else.
BRG…I see QOTD again!!!