Expressing the Liturgical Impulse

David Bains, of Samford University, accurately names it the "Liturgical Impulse." In his dissertation and forthcoming book, he describes the rediscovery among mainline Protestant demonimations of the sacramental and liturgical expression in worship - including architecture. It took place in the early and mid twentieth century. This was an all too short episode in which worship orders moved away from sermon-centered and included meaningful response on the part of the congregation. This was more than so-called traditional worship. A few churches do it today, fewer do it well, and a few of those are blessed with appropriate architecture and worship centers.

At Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, a recent find revealed a part of the story of how its worship architecture came to be. See Undercroft Discovery