Professor of Architecture Kay Bea Jones has published “Preserving Summit Methodist Church and the Architecture of Edward A. Sövik” a letter to the editor in Columbus Underground. The letter urges the preservation of the church (which is currently for sale) and discusses Sövik’s design for the interior and his work more broadly in modern sacred architecture and liturgical reform.

He wrote prolifically about the spatial needs of modern worship that called for alterations of static spaces to embrace more dynamic interpretations of liturgy and forms of gathering. Sövik argued for church spaces that are not set apart for holy rituals but are adaptable and suitable as “non-church” buildings.

As such, he composed flexible seating that could be fixed for assembly, which he patented, along with podiums that can be rearranged to alter the section of the space. His custom art glass graphics suggest alternatives to traditional symbolism. He called the new sanctuary the “Centrum,” a space that would accommodate both lay and cleric, civic and sacred functions for a modern community whose activities are not limited to Sunday morning.

“Preserving Summit Methodist Church and the Architecture of Edward A. Sövik”
by Kay Bea Jones

Read more at Columbus Underground