Building sacred space for the new millennium

This thesis reviews five specific examples on Unitarian Universalist architecture in the past decade. A guiding question for my study of these buildings has been whether or not these worship spaces and churches reflect the identity of the religious communities they shelter. To begin with, I will provide a brief and general overview of the historical and contemporary contexts of these buildings. A brief history of Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist architecture provides an important window on the historical context of our churches. Another defining context of recently built churches is our current cultural and social milieu, or post-modernity. Apart from context, buildings are designed in accordance with a programs intended uses. This includes corporate worship, religious education, and usually a wide range of other activities. The function of worship sets the church apart as a sacred space, and distinguishes