Podcast – Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana

Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana
Today we will visit the Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana.
From the Book
Southwest Indiana Day Trips

Transcript:

Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana
Greetings, today we will visit the Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana.

New Harmony philanthropist Jane Owen envisioned the Roofless Church and engaged archictech Philip Johnson to build a non-denominational church in New Harmony.

Before getting started, I would encourage you to subscribe to the Mossy Feet Books You Tube channel for more great content. If you like my videos, please hit the “Like,” button. The more likes I get the more You Tube will show it to other people, allowing me to grow the channel. I also entreat you to visit my website, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. There you will find sample chapters, podcasts, a slew of content and links to where you can buy my books. While visiting the web site you can subscribe to it and receive email notifications of when I publish a new book or other content, like this video and podcast. This episode is based on my book, Southwest Indiana Road Trips. If you like what I am doing, please purchase a book, as it helps fund my work.

Jane Blaffer Owen (April 1915 – June 21, 2010)
The daughter of Robert Lee and Sarah “Sadie” Campbell Blaffer, Jane was native to Houston, Harris County, Texas. Her father was the founder of Humble Oil Company, which later became Exxon. She attended The Kinkaid School in Margaret Kinkaid’s home, which is a college prepatory school for children K – 12. She attended high school at Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, graduating in 1933. She later attended Bryn Mawr College and the Union Theological Seminary in New York. She married Kenneth Owen, who was a descendent of Indiana philosopher, manufacturer and social reformer Robert Owen. The couple would have 2 children. Kenneth was from the small Indiana town of New Harmony.
During World War II she helped organize events to sell war bonds.
Inspired by the history of her husband’s home town, Owen established the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation in 1958. Its purpose was to preserve and promote the culture and history of New Harmony. She persuaded the Eli Lily Foundation to construct New Harmony’s visitor center, the Athenaeum. She was instrumental in the design and construction of the Cathedral Labyrinth in the town. She lived a simple life and enjoyed taxing visitors around town in her golf cart. She was also a major contributor to University of Houston’s Blaffer Art Museum and aided many artists and architechs in their work. She received many awards for her work including the Louise Dupont Crowninshield Award, The Good Brick Award, and Commander of The British Empire, bestowed by her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels gave her the Sachem Award.
After her death she was interred at Maple Hill Cemetery
New Harmony, Posey County, Indiana.

The Roofless Church consists of a garden surrounded by a brick wall. An opening on the north side of the wall allows visitors a panoramic view of the farmland to the north of the church. The garden is beautiful as it is peaceful. A fountain gurgles peacefully on the east end. A cedar-shingled dome occupies the west end. Many believe the shape of the dome resembles that of an inverted rose bud, and it does appear to cast a rose bud shaped shadow. The rose was a symbol of the Harmonists that founded the town. But there is no evidence that the architect intended it to resemble that flower. In the center of the dome, the visitor will discover an oculus, or round opening, if they look up.
Dedicated in 1960, the Roofless Church occupies a quiet corner of New Harmony on North Street. This multi-denominational church provides a quiet haven for those seeking peace. Jane Blaffer Owen, a distant relative of Robert Owen, the second owner of the town, commissioned the church. She envisioned a church “where the only roof large enough to encompass a world of worshippers was the sky.” She awarded the commission to design the structure to architect Philip Cortelyou Johnson.
Maintained by the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis and Southern Indiana, the church is open to the public. It serves as a tourist attraction and a popular location for wedding ceremonies. Many other sacred ceremonies take place there, as well. Couples wishing to use the peaceful environs of the church may reserve it by calling the phone number listed at the end of this article.
Roofless Church
420 W. North Street
Phone: (812) 682-3050

The episode is based upon my book, South Central Indiana Road Trips, available on the web site, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. The book is the first book in the 9 volume Road Trip Indiana Series. The books include all the historical markers, as of 2022, in Indiana with the text and back story. The books also include a nearly complete listing of virtually every tourism destination in the state. The destinations include parks, museums, drive in theaters, bowling alleys, wineries and much, much more. I encourage you to visit the web site and subscribe to it.
You can find my books locally at the at the Romweber Marketplace in downtown Batesville, Indiana.
I hope you enjoyed this podcast and thank you for listening.