Pietro Belluschi's Christ the King Church Faces $4.9M Interior Renovation by Harrison Design
A conflict over the planned interior renovation of Christ the King Catholic Church in Milwaukie, Oregon, has emerged. Designed by Pietro Belluschi and finished in 1980, the renovation led by Harrison Design is part of a $6.5 million initiative, allocating $4.9 million for the interior and the remainder for expanding the parish school. Local residents and parishioners are petitioning to stop the project, raising concerns about funding priorities. Anthony Belluschi has voiced his opposition, arguing that the plans overlook the church's architectural heritage. Proposed alterations include the replacement of the natural wood interior and the removal of original stained-glass features. Construction could commence this fall. Belluschi is known for designing 42 churches and is often likened to Frank Lloyd Wright.
Key facts
- Christ the King Catholic Church in Milwaukie, Oregon, designed by Pietro Belluschi with Yost Grube Hall, was completed in 1980.
- Harrison Design, the firm behind Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Arlington, Virginia, is leading the interior renovation.
- The "Rooted in Truth" campaign has raised $6.5 million, with $4.9 million (75 percent) allocated to the interior renovation and the rest to expand the parish school to K-12.
- A committee and petition of parishioners and Milwaukie residents oppose the renovation, citing the nearby financially strained Lot Whitcomb Elementary School.
- Anthony Belluschi, architect and son of Pietro Belluschi, opposes the plans, saying they ignore the legacy, history, and heritage of the church and Pacific Northwest architecture.
- Harrison Design's renderings show Romanesque arches and columns, with plans to paint over or remove the natural wood interior and remove György Kepes's embedded stained-glass cross.
- Pietro Belluschi was the only Oregonian to receive both the National Medal of Arts and the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, and designed 42 churches and synagogues.
- Construction may begin as soon as this fall, but no timeline has been released; AN emailed Harrison Design for comment.
Entities
Artists
- Pietro Belluschi
- Anthony Belluschi
- György Kepes
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Paul Tillich
- G. Douglas Nicoll
- Donald Trump
Institutions
- Harrison Design
- Yost Grube Hall
- Christ the King Catholic Church
- Rooted in Truth
- Lot Whitcomb Elementary School
- Archdiocese of Portland
- National Medal of Arts
- American Institute of Architects
- Liturgical Arts
- AN
Locations
- Milwaukie
- Oregon
- United States
- Arlington
- Virginia
- Pacific Northwest