Jack Baker’s Church

A small, white dairy barn had stood alone upon that hill for years.

The town had grown around it.  Now a university professor, architect,

will try and see if he can build a church for students there.

They have almost no money.  But they are Reformed, still Puritans with

simple tastes:

a concrete floor will do with folding chairs, clear windows open to

the light, the street, the passers-by, invite all in.  They meet

around a table, pulpit, bowl, and hear the word.  The room is filled

with song and prayer– the walls, inside and out, like milk are white.

Up high, no steeple, but a box of light, a cupola like on a barn:

just right…

Hessel Park Church

Hessel Park Church

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, September 2, 2012