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St Francis of Assisi Church, North facade
St. Francis of Assisi Church, designed by the Springfield architectural firm of Helmle & Helmle and built by local contractor Frank Fitzsimmons from 1920 to 1924. The church was dedicated on April 29, 1924.
The church was described in 2008 by Paul Helmle, professor emeritus of architecture at California State Polytechnic University, and a relative of Springfield’s architectural Helmles. In an illustrated guide to the church posted on the Hospital Sisters’ web site, Paul Helmle called St. Francis of Assisi Church “one of the undiscovered treasures of Springfield.”
Although the architects built almost 400 buildings and were a major player in the 20th century physical image of Springfield, this church is certainly one of their finest works. Its exterior brings to mind images of German Romanesque architecture of the 12th century, with its eastern towers sitting confidently against the immense nave recalling medieval monasteries. Inside the terra cotta-clad nave there is harmony between the architectural elements. The astonishing scarlet dome hovering over the baldacchino with columns of richly patterned marble and the elaborate golden tabernacle recreate a past world of overwhelming splendor. Courtesy Sangamon County Historical Society. sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=3461
St Francis of Assisi Church, North facade
St. Francis of Assisi Church, designed by the Springfield architectural firm of Helmle & Helmle and built by local contractor Frank Fitzsimmons from 1920 to 1924. The church was dedicated on April 29, 1924.
The church was described in 2008 by Paul Helmle, professor emeritus of architecture at California State Polytechnic University, and a relative of Springfield’s architectural Helmles. In an illustrated guide to the church posted on the Hospital Sisters’ web site, Paul Helmle called St. Francis of Assisi Church “one of the undiscovered treasures of Springfield.”
Although the architects built almost 400 buildings and were a major player in the 20th century physical image of Springfield, this church is certainly one of their finest works. Its exterior brings to mind images of German Romanesque architecture of the 12th century, with its eastern towers sitting confidently against the immense nave recalling medieval monasteries. Inside the terra cotta-clad nave there is harmony between the architectural elements. The astonishing scarlet dome hovering over the baldacchino with columns of richly patterned marble and the elaborate golden tabernacle recreate a past world of overwhelming splendor. Courtesy Sangamon County Historical Society. sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=3461