St. Michael’s Church

Description by Conor Libit

Name: St. Michael’s Episocopal Church 

Address: 647 South Dundee Avenue, Barrington

Architect: Edward Dart

Built: 1953 - Additions in 1959, 1961, 1969, 1972

The contractor was Stanley Pepper, Sr. In June 1953, architect Ed Dart's contemporary plan was chosen for St. Michael's.  In February 1954, the first Rectory was sold to finance the Church building. The cornerstone was laid on May 9, and dedication services were held Nov. 27, 1953. Dart designed 26 churches in his lifetime and no two of them looked the same. St. Michael’s was designed with future expansion in mind and was set off to one side of the site, The northern side is the original construction with additional classrooms and ancillary spaces added over time. The most distinctive feature of St. Michael’s is the exposed bell tower that flares out at the top. There are 12 bells in the tower representing the 12 apostles. Also common in Dart’s churches were hidden windows that allowed natural light down on the sanctuary chancel. This is done spectacularly at St. Michael’s and on sunny days the hidden windows shower the altar in light. It is said that churches of the 1950s and 60s responded to the changing era of social justice by eschewing the ornate and richness and instead focusing on simplicity and focusing on improving society. Inside the nave there are no eye level windows, only featuring clerestory windows removing distractions and forcing congregants to focus on worship. These windows were originally clear but have since been converted to stained glass.

Can't Miss:

• The columbarium is Darts final resting place