A couple weeks ago, I activated a post I'd prepared back in May when I visited and photographed the Taylor University campus in Upland, Ind. That same day, when I returned to Fishers (in suburban Indianapolis) after visiting the Taylor campus, I made a point to drive down East 116th Street because I wanted to stop and photograph two interesting churches I'd noticed on previous drives along 116th.
The bright golden domes and red tile roof of St. George Orthodox Christian, shown in the top lead-off photo, is the closer of the two Interstate 69. This view is similar to what motorists see as they pass the church on 116th Street. Architects designed the structure after the Hagia-Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, a late antique Byzantine mosque that has stood since 1484.
A few miles down 116th from St. George's is Cornerstone Lutheran Church (shown in the second lead-off photo above), whose architecture isn't as ancient, but is nevertheless striking.
The structure, which is topped with a gold dome 50 feet above the sanctuary, opened in May 2014, supplanting the congregation's former home on North Sherman Drive on the Eastside of Indianapolis. The move followed the migration north into Hamilton County by many of its members, according to a story in The Indianapolis Star about the church opening.
Cornerstone Lutheran, much farther east on 116th (almost to Olio Road), opened in November 2016. It houses a three-level playground indoors. And the playground isn't just a church-day amusement for children. It's open eight hours a day Mondays through Fridays (with a one-hour break in the middle), six hours on Saturdays and three hours on Sundays and is supervised by a staff member anytime it's open.
It is now one of three Cornerstone congregations in the Indy area. There is one in Carmel and one on the Eastside of Indianapolis near New York and Rural streets.
As always, to view a larger, sharper version of an image, simply click on it. To view a full gallery of the St. George and Cornerstone photos that I shot, click on the links on the church names in this sentence.
ST. GEORGE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
The church at eye level (above) and two closeups of its dome (below and second below).
The bell tower (above) and a closeup of its dome and cross (below).
Above: This structure is behind the church, out of view from traffic on 116th Street. I don't for sure what it is, but if I had to guess, it's the residence of the presiding minister. Above: A side section of the church building, focusing on its patterned roof and angular exterior frame.
Above: The curvy access drive at a point where travel is just one-way. Above: Capturing a reflection of the bell tower dome in one of the church building windows. Above: Looking out toward 116th Street from the top of the hilly access drive. CORNERSTONE LUTHERAN
Two views of the church (above and below) as it's seen from the road, with the one coming farther away because it includes one of the fountains in the foreground of the property. A vertical orientation version of the photo at the top of this post appears in the second photo below.
A closeup of the right flank (above), and a view of the entrance from the right side (below).
Above: There is quite a bit of distance between the access on 116th Street and the structure; while taking this photo, I'm looking back at the access, standing about halfway between the road and church building.
Above and below: Two views of the other fountain, the one below caught in a gust that happened to materialize just as I was composing the shot.
