Central United Methodist Church

You’ve probably driven past this church thousands of times and never noticed it. It’s a great design and hiding in plain site.
I’m an architecture geek. When I saw that architect Bill Wenzler was speaking about the building’s design as part of the Doors Open Milwaukee event I was excited as I’m a huge fan of his Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Greendale design. We got a quick tour of the church and Mr. Wenzler talked about some of the engineering challenges of the building. I had him autograph a program with a drawing of the building. Great building and Doors Open Milwaukee is a fantastic event.
FROM DOORS OPEN MILWAUKEE WEBSITE: Central United Methodist Church was designed during the early 1980s energy crisis, reflecting the congregation’s attitude that all buildings constructed should fit within our world energy budget and the human need for green space in our urban environment. The building was constructed in 1982, though its founding date is 1883. This non-​traditional edifice of concrete and glass, designed by William Wenzler & Architects, Inc., captures daylight from its bell tower reflected into its worship space while allowing passive solar energy to be collected for heating in the winter and thermal chimney for ventilation in the summer. The building’s entire roof surface is covered with earth. This provides a prairie-​like landscaping on the roof that cascades down on the east and west sides, giving an appearance of the church built into a hill.
What appears to be a church built into a hill on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and 25^th Street surprises all that enter on how the church could be flooded with natural light, as it enters into the expansive narthex through the wall of south facing plate glass windows. This natural day light expands into the sanctuary through twelve contemporary etched glass panel sanctuary doors depicting biblical experiences. Visitors will experience the unique prairie roof and have an opportunity to hear and interact with the architect, William Wenzler, at 1pm, both Saturday and Sunday, as he shares the history regarding one of his favored projects. Marvel at the rays of suspended massive concrete beams that splay out from the solar tower at the alter and appear suspended in air without support. Central stands out as one of the most unique worship spaces in Wisconsin.