Grace Lutheran Church

notes by Charles A. Haertling from a display panel

SIGNIFICANT WORSHIP AMENITIES

• space of joy and celebration
• intimacy of common worship
• space is large chancel-worshipers are the act
• crosses focus on people "the redeemed"
• less rigid worship-minimal ushering
• font at the entrance doors symbolic
• casket at font significant

FLEXIBILITY

• Altar, tables (18" deep), font are movable and separable
• Allows creative worship uses, drama, recitals, etc.

ADDED SEATING

• Rear organ balcony extended length of church and around opposite end (German Lutheran traditional form)
• Capacity increased from 150 to 250, 125 up, 125 down

BUILT 1967

notes by Joel Haertling

The Haertling family was part of the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church. In fact, Haertling met his future wife Viola Brase in the basement there in 1952. Very active as a church elder, Haertling was deeply religious and involved in the church, and took great pride in being selected to remodel the sanctuary and took great care in doing it. Originally laid out in the standard basilica style, Haertling chose a wrap-around concept, extending the wood siding that traditionally was only behind the altar area to encompass the entire congregation. The floor is made of black slate, and the benches were designed by Haertling, which are oriented so that the people in the congregation face each other.

A special Schlicker organ was integrated into the design. The work of famous religious artist Reinhold Marxhausen adorns the altar, lectern and font.

• Floor plan
• Sketch of the altar arrangement
• Fisheye view of the altar area
• Fisheye view of Haertling in the sanctuary
• Haertling, Pastor Hattendorf & Fred Shindell on the organ balcony

© 1995 Atomix Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This page was last revised on June 6, 1995.