Hello Readers!

This year’s Docomomo’s US Annual Theme on “Places of Worship” is profiling and exploring the rich array of postwar Modern religious buildings that can be found in almost every community across the nation. It’s worth noting from the start that these buildings house worship, yes, but often much more. Many of them are complex, sprawling buildings that incorporate space for religious education, congregational meals and events, theater and recreation, and outreach programs serving the larger community. These buildings – often the most architecturally bold and daring works of architecture in any given community – are also in transition. Many congregations are smaller than they were in the 1950s and ‘60s, which is why Partners for Sacred Places and other organizations are working with faith communities to help them reimagine their spaces and engage their neighborhoods in new ways. And when a congregation needs to sell its building, we encourage civic-minded sale, so that these buildings continue to serve the community. We are in a period of rapid change that presents great opportunities, as well as daunting challenges, to the stewards of America’s Modern sacred places. 

Thank you to all of the authors for sharing their research and expertise. Check back with Docomomo US in October for the second volume on the 2025 Annual Theme, which will highlight another fantastic collection of articles on the adaptive reuse of Modernist sacred places. 

Bob Jaeger

President 

Partners for Sacred Places

To learn more about Partners and our work, visit us at www.sacredplaces.org.