"The European-born father-and-son team of Eliel Saarinen and Eero Saarinen contributed some of the finest mid-century examples of religious architecture, starting with their First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana (1942).

"The building complex is a series of simple rectangular blocks laid in composition around a central courtyard, originally planned as a reflecting pond. The church plan, vaguely reminiscent of a classical basilica, is a simple asymmetric rectangle.

"Within the sanctuary, the focus is intentionally blurred, although the eye is inevitably drawn to the cross hung on the rear wall. Natural light is admitted from vertical slotted windows along one side wall, creating an interesting rhythmic pattern to counterbalance the colonnade along the opposite side."

— Douglas R. Hoffman, "From Maybeck To Megachurches", ArchitectureWeek No. 61, 2001.0808, pC1.2.