Most Extraordinary Churches of the World

6. St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (Chicago, USA)

St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church is a Ukrainian church located in Chicago, Illinois and belonging to the St. Nicholas Eparchy for the Ukrainian Catholics. The building has an ultra-modern roof, comprising thirteen gold domes, symbolizing the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ as the largest center dome.

 

History

In August 1956 Archbishop Constantine Bohachevsky appointed Fr. Joseph Shary to organize a new community. The first two Liturgies were celebrated at St. Patrick's High School Auditorium, with the first church being built at its current location. This building stands north of the current church building and is used as a Parish Life Center that houses offices, classrooms, and a hall. It is also home to the Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union's northwest branch.

As the community quickly expanded, Fr. Shary realized a larger church building was needed. He saw this as an opportunity to build a spectacular Church for "The Glory of God and Future Generations." The church, designed by architect Zenon Mazurkiewych of Philadelphia, was dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Jaroslav Gabro on May 22, 1977.

Milestones

The history of St. Joseph begins with Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia officially establishing St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church on August 1, 1956. Father Joseph Shary was sent here as the organizing pastor, who upon his arrival to Chicago was met with an energetic group of Ukrainian Catholics, who were anxious to expand the Chicago community into the Northwest Side.

Most Extraordinary Churches of the World

5. Notre Dame du Haut (Ronchamp, France)

Informally known as "Ronchamp", the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp (French: Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Haut de Ronchamp), completed in 1954, is one of the finest examples of the architecture of Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier and one of the most important examples of twentieth-century religious architecture.

Notre Dame du Haut was thought of as a more extreme design of Le Corbusier’s late style. The chapel is a simple design with two entrances, a main altar, and three chapels beneath towers. Although the building is small, it is powerful and complex. The chapel is the latest of chapels at the site. The previous chapel was completely destroyed there during World War II. The previous building was a 4th century Christian chapel. But, at the time the new building was being constructed, Corbusier wasn’t exactly interested in “Machine Age” architecture. He felt his style was more primitive and sculptural, so he decided to build something more interesting.

Most Extraordinary Churches of the World

4. Chapel of St. Gildas (Brittany, France)

This precious church is located along the Canal du Blavet in Brittany, France - near the town of Bieuzy-les-Eaux. The chapel was constructed at the location where it is believed St Gildas (an Irish monk) preached to a pagan population in the 6th century. The church was built near where a cave existed at the base of the granite outcrop. St. Gildas and St. Bieuzy lived in the cave while preaching in the area.

Most Extraordinary Churches of the World

3. Device to Root Out Evil (Calgary, AB, Canada)

It was too hot for New York City; too hot for Stanford University. But a controversial, imposing sculpture by renowned international artist Dennis Oppenheim finally found a public home in laid-back Vancouver.

A country church is seen balancing on it's steeple, as if it had been lifted by a terrific force and brought to the site as a device or method of rooting out evil forces.