Pop-Up Tour: St. John the Evangelist Church, Presented by Docomomo US/MN and MNSAH. August 9; 5pm.

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri
Photo: Rolf Anderson

MNSAH and Docomomo US/MN invite their members to a Pop-Up Tour of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church


Designed by architect George Rafferty, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was completed in 1967 at the height of momentous Liturgical Movement.  Its design heralded the notion of a community of worshippers – supplanting the 19th Century notion of worshippers as passive observers. The size and scale of the church relate to the compact, residential neighborhood within which it is set. Inside, a sense of reverence and drama is created by deeply recessed skylights that provide natural illumination. Frank Kacmarcik was the liturgical consultant.
 
The church has been the recipient of numerous awards including a National Design Award from Progressive Architecture, an honor award from the National Liturgical Conference, a Special 40 Year Award from the Guild of Religious Architecture, and the 25 Year Award from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. 

Now known as St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, the congregation merged with another church in Hopkins and the building is currently for sale and thus its future is uncertain.
 
We thank architect Anna Pravinata, who is a member of the congregation, for her assistance in organizing the tour.  And special thanks to architect Craig Rafferty, George Rafferty’s son, who will serve as our tour guide. Both George and Craig Rafferty were interviewed for MNSAH’s Minnesota Modern Masters project. Click here for an edited version of the interview: https://vimeo.com/192185545.
 
When: Wednesday, August 9, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
Where: 6 Interlachen Road, Hopkins, MN 55343
 
Registration:  The event is free to Docomomo US/MN members and MNSAH members but registration is required. 

Docomomo US/MN members, please send your registration request with the number of your party to: [email protected]

MNSAH members, please email [email protected] to register or to check your membership status. 
 
We look forward to seeing you at our tour of this remarkable church!!