Exploration of the theological and practical issues involved in contemporary church architecture, building, and renovation in the context of serious biblical and historical reflection will be the focus of the 2005 DuBose Lecture series, November 3-4 at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Guerry Auditorium is the venue for the three-part lecture series, which opens on November 3 at 1:30 p.m. with Dr. Richard Kieckhefer, professor of religion and history at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Kieckhefer will address "The Theology and History of Christian Architecture." In his most recent book, "Theology in Stone: Church Architecture from Byzantium to Berkeley" (Oxford University Press, 2004), he presents an analysis of church architecture and case histories that explore liturgical uses and theological meanings.
The second lecture, "The Tabernacle is Not a Storehouse: Building Sacred Space" begins at 3:30 p.m. with Dr. Ellen F. Davis, professor of Bible and practical theology at Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina. Davis is currently developing an exegetically based response to the ecological crisis, focusing on Old Testament texts. Her most recent book is, "Wondrous Depth: Preaching the Old Testament" (Westminster John Knox, 2005).
The third lecture, "Principles and Practicalities of Building and Renovating Sacred Spaces," takes place November 4, 9:00 a.m., featuring a panel discussion with architects who have completed major church building projects. They included: Terry Byrd Eason, principal of Eason & Farlow Design of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Maurice Jennings, partner in the firm of Maurice Jennings + David McKee Architects, Fayetteville, Arkansas; and the Rev. John Runkle, cathedral conservator for the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
This final lecture will be followed by three on-site discussions at 11:00 a.m., led by the Rev. Thomas R. Ward Jr., University chaplain and lecturer in Christian spirituality; the Very Rev. Dr. William S. Stafford, dean of the school of theology; and the Rev. Thomas E. Macfie Jr., rector.
The 2005 DuBose Lecture series is sponsored by the University's School of Theology, and is free and open to the public.
For more information call the School of Theology at 800.722.1974 or e-mail theology@sewanee.edu.
Note: The following title is available from the Episcopal Book/Resource Center, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017; 800.334.7626; http://www.episcopalbookstore.org/
To read: THIS OLD CHURCH: The Indispensable Guide for Restoring Church Buildings by Ion Grumeza (The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 2005, 131 pages, $16.)
From the publisher:
This Old Church is not a book about how to build a new church building; it's about how to restore the church building you already have.
Through this guide, Grumeza shows how to do everything from identifying the building's problems to choosing the right general contractor, and provides helpful checklists every step of the way. Also includes photographs that show the processes Grumeza outlines in this handy resource.
