First Presbyterian Church – Stamford, CT

Designed by Wallace K. Harrison, the new sanctuary was dedicated in March 1958.  The previous temple was burned down by a lighting in 1882.

The shape of the building has been likened to that of a fish – a symbol used in early Christianity.

The fish shape is present in the profile and in the floor plan of the structure.

The building contains more than 20,000 pieces of faceted glass.

The  north wall depicts the story of the Crucifixion and  the south the resurrection.

Each piece of glass is 1 1/2″thick and its was made purposely irregular to it will shine more.

In the altar there is a  32 foot high wood cross that came from the Canterbury Cathedral in England.

The church originally had an electronic organ, now replaced with a large Visser-Rowland pipe organ.

The Memorial Walk leading to the main entrance of the Sanctuary has more than 100 stones, each representing one of the spiritual giants of the Judeo/Christian tradition from the days of Abraham to the present.

The building was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 2021.

I was lucky enough to get a small private concert. The sound of the pipe organ and the whole surrounding made the experience very special.

I am not a religious person but I enjoy experiencing the dedication and the hope that people put in their religious buildings.

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