November 24, 2025 • 8 mins
While commercial buildings and residences often get the spotlight for their Modernist architecture, Palm Springs has a number of houses of worship that are worth celebrating. We take a look at some of the mid-century designs.
This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your calendar for October and February, when the city comes alive with tours, talks, parties, and more. Explore the full schedule at modernismweek.com.
The information presented in this podcast is for general knowledge and entertainment purposes only. All research that was done and opinions expressed are our own and not necessarily those of Modernism Week.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:06):
Hey there, and welcome to season2 of A Bert's Eye View.
My name is Bert and I'm the Buster operations manager for
Modernism Week in Palm Springs, CA.
I coordinate all our Double Decker bus tours during the
Modernism Week festivals in February and October, and I'm
happy to have their support for these podcasts.
I started this project to respond to questions from our
(00:28):
guests that we don't have time to answer during our tours.
I thought we would do a dozen orso stories, but the response has
been so positive that after doing 26 podcasts in season 1,
we're on to the second season. So if there's a topic you want
addressed, leave me a comment. Please tune in, click the follow
button and enjoy a bird's eye view.
(00:58):
That lead in music probably makes you wonder what today's
topic is. Well, we'll be devoting the next
few minutes to the city's housesof worship.
And don't worry, I won't come around with the collection plate
at the end. Our city is celebrated worldwide
for its mid century modern architecture, desert modernism,
and bold design. While much attention is often
(01:18):
given to glamorous residences, hotels, and civic buildings, the
city's churches also hold a special place in our
architectural story. Several churches in Palm Springs
demonstrate how religious architecture adapted to the
desert environment and embraced modernist ideals, creating
sacred spaces that are as visually striking as they are
(01:40):
spiritually uplifting. Rather than Gothic steeples or
traditional stone facades, many Palm Springs churches embraced
clean lines, dramatic roofs, andinnovative uses of light and
space. They sought to inspire awe while
maintaining harmony with the desert landscape.
I chose the following buildings because each is designed by a
(02:02):
different modernist architect. I'm going to tell you about them
in chronological order with the oldest first, the Our Lady of
Solitude Catholic Church, 1929 architect was Albert C Martin.
Martin is best known for designing Los Angeles City Hall.
Alva Hicks, a local, built the structure initially named The
(02:25):
Little Church in 1929. The Spanish Colonial Revival
style fit well into the neighborhood that also had the
Desert Inn and the nearby old Las Palmas homes constructed in
a similar style. The original building has been
expanded to meet the congregation's needs.
The main sanctuary remains the same, the Community Church of
(02:46):
Palm Springs or Blackstone Hall,1935 by William Charles Tanner.
In a stark departure from Tanner's usual Spanish Colonial
Revival style is this building in a late Gothic Revival style.
Absent is the structures ornamentation typical of Gothic
Revival. 2 fires, one in 2013 and another in 2022, gutted the
(03:09):
structure. There are plans to restore the
building. The hope is to have it be part
of a luxury hotel project and open in 2029.
The Church of Saint Paul in the Desert, 1939, by John Porter
Clark. While more modest than some of
its counterparts, the building carries architectural and
cultural significance. Its design combines traditional
(03:32):
ecclesiastical elements with desert appropriate features,
using stucco walls and simple lines that resonate with the
city's architectural language. The church has been renovated
and expanded since its original construction, but Clark's design
is still recognizable. Temple Isaiah 1949 by E Stewart
(03:52):
Williams, with a 1982 edition byDavid Christian.
For its construction, Stewart chose unpainted concrete block,
a humble building material oftenutilized for basements and
garages back east. The initial composition
consisted of A1 room synagogue Of the synagogue, Stewart later
commented, it was just as simpleand beautiful as a finished
(04:14):
church or anything else in its lines.
There's no pretense, just exposed concrete block on the
interior and exterior walls. Unfortunately, the temple's 1982
expansion enveloped the Williamsdesign, the First Church of
Christ Scientist 1957 by Albert Frey.
(04:34):
Built in 57, the structure embodies Frey's signature desert
modernist style. Simple, elegant lines,
industrial materials like aluminum and glass, and a quiet
dialogue with the sun scorched landscape that surrounds it.
Today the building is no longer in use as a spiritual sanctuary
and is being transformed by a local theater company, Desert
(04:54):
Performs, into a venue that willhost performance art.
This transformation honors phrase design philosophy,
respecting the environment and function, and continues its use
as a gathering space for the community.
The First Baptist Church, 1963 by Howard Lapham True to
(05:14):
Lapham's modernist style, the building has clean lines and
patterned concrete block that throw different shadows as the
sun travels through the sky. This historic black church on
Rosa Parks Rd. opened in 1963. Before its congregation had a
dedicated building, it gathered for almost 2 decades in borrowed
halls or sometimes a tent outdoors.
(05:35):
Many of the families who attended the church during this
period lived in Section 14. Their new building was a quote
dream realized according to a program printed for the church's
dedication ceremony, Palm Springs United Methodist Church,
1965 by Hal Whitmore. Whitmore designed numerous
churches in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
(05:58):
This is his only Palm Springs building and its organic modern
style embodies the experimental spirit of mid century modern
design. From a distance, the building
resembles a cluster of white wings rising toward the sky.
Fitting image for a House of worship.
Saint Teresa's Catholic Church 1968 by William Cody This is one
(06:19):
of the most recognizable church buildings in the city.
Completed in 1968, it was designed with a striking
modernist form that departs fromthe typical European inspired
Catholic Church architecture. Its triangular A-frame structure
swords upward like folded hands in prayer.
This bold geometric silhouette is not only symbolic but also
(06:40):
practical, helping to create a cool interior in the desert.
Heat inside the church emphasizes simplicity and
openness, with natural light filtering in to illuminate the
altar. The sharp ankles and uncluttered
design reflect mid century sensibilities, focusing
worshippers attention on spiritual reflection rather than
(07:01):
ornate decoration. Cody's design makes extensive
use of glass, allowing natural light to pour into the
sanctuary. This connection between interior
and exterior reflects the desertmodernist ideal of blurring
boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
The building's innovative use ofform and material makes it not
(07:22):
just a place of worship, but also an architectural icon.
Saint Teresa remains a landmark for both the local Catholic
community and architecture enthusiasts.
I've always believed that religious organizations and
governments have a historical obligation to create noteworthy
architecture. These buildings remind us that
(07:42):
architecture can elevate the human spirit while reflecting
the unique beauty of its environment.
In Palm Springs, even the doors to the divine are framed by
modernist vision and desert light.
Support for a bird's eye view comes from Modernism Week,
celebrating global modernism andPalm Springs design each October
(08:04):
and February. Learnmore@modernismweek.com.
Hey there, and welcome to season2 of A Bert's Eye View.
My name is Bert and I'm the Buster operations manager for
Modernism Week in Palm Springs, CA.
I coordinate all our Double Decker bus tours during the
Modernism Week festivals in February and October, and I'm
happy to have their support for these podcasts.
I started this project to respond to questions from our
(00:28):
guests that we don't have time to answer during our tours.
I thought we would do a dozen orso stories, but the response has
been so positive that after doing 26 podcasts in season 1,
we're on to the second season. So if there's a topic you want
addressed, leave me a comment. Please tune in, click the follow
button and enjoy a bird's eye view.
(00:58):
That lead in music probably makes you wonder what today's
topic is. Well, we'll be devoting the next
few minutes to the city's housesof worship.
And don't worry, I won't come around with the collection plate
at the end. Our city is celebrated worldwide
for its mid century modern architecture, desert modernism,
and bold design. While much attention is often
(01:18):
given to glamorous residences, hotels, and civic buildings, the
city's churches also hold a special place in our
architectural story. Several churches in Palm Springs
demonstrate how religious architecture adapted to the
desert environment and embraced modernist ideals, creating
sacred spaces that are as visually striking as they are
(01:40):
spiritually uplifting. Rather than Gothic steeples or
traditional stone facades, many Palm Springs churches embraced
clean lines, dramatic roofs, andinnovative uses of light and
space. They sought to inspire awe while
maintaining harmony with the desert landscape.
I chose the following buildings because each is designed by a
(02:02):
different modernist architect. I'm going to tell you about them
in chronological order with the oldest first, the Our Lady of
Solitude Catholic Church, 1929 architect was Albert C Martin.
Martin is best known for designing Los Angeles City Hall.
Alva Hicks, a local, built the structure initially named The
(02:25):
Little Church in 1929. The Spanish Colonial Revival
style fit well into the neighborhood that also had the
Desert Inn and the nearby old Las Palmas homes constructed in
a similar style. The original building has been
expanded to meet the congregation's needs.
The main sanctuary remains the same, the Community Church of
(02:46):
Palm Springs or Blackstone Hall,1935 by William Charles Tanner.
In a stark departure from Tanner's usual Spanish Colonial
Revival style is this building in a late Gothic Revival style.
Absent is the structures ornamentation typical of Gothic
Revival. 2 fires, one in 2013 and another in 2022, gutted the
(03:09):
structure. There are plans to restore the
building. The hope is to have it be part
of a luxury hotel project and open in 2029.
The Church of Saint Paul in the Desert, 1939, by John Porter
Clark. While more modest than some of
its counterparts, the building carries architectural and
cultural significance. Its design combines traditional
(03:32):
ecclesiastical elements with desert appropriate features,
using stucco walls and simple lines that resonate with the
city's architectural language. The church has been renovated
and expanded since its original construction, but Clark's design
is still recognizable. Temple Isaiah 1949 by E Stewart
(03:52):
Williams, with a 1982 edition byDavid Christian.
For its construction, Stewart chose unpainted concrete block,
a humble building material oftenutilized for basements and
garages back east. The initial composition
consisted of A1 room synagogue Of the synagogue, Stewart later
commented, it was just as simpleand beautiful as a finished
(04:14):
church or anything else in its lines.
There's no pretense, just exposed concrete block on the
interior and exterior walls. Unfortunately, the temple's 1982
expansion enveloped the Williamsdesign, the First Church of
Christ Scientist 1957 by Albert Frey.
(04:34):
Built in 57, the structure embodies Frey's signature desert
modernist style. Simple, elegant lines,
industrial materials like aluminum and glass, and a quiet
dialogue with the sun scorched landscape that surrounds it.
Today the building is no longer in use as a spiritual sanctuary
and is being transformed by a local theater company, Desert
(04:54):
Performs, into a venue that willhost performance art.
This transformation honors phrase design philosophy,
respecting the environment and function, and continues its use
as a gathering space for the community.
The First Baptist Church, 1963 by Howard Lapham True to
(05:14):
Lapham's modernist style, the building has clean lines and
patterned concrete block that throw different shadows as the
sun travels through the sky. This historic black church on
Rosa Parks Rd. opened in 1963. Before its congregation had a
dedicated building, it gathered for almost 2 decades in borrowed
halls or sometimes a tent outdoors.
(05:35):
Many of the families who attended the church during this
period lived in Section 14. Their new building was a quote
dream realized according to a program printed for the church's
dedication ceremony, Palm Springs United Methodist Church,
1965 by Hal Whitmore. Whitmore designed numerous
churches in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
(05:58):
This is his only Palm Springs building and its organic modern
style embodies the experimental spirit of mid century modern
design. From a distance, the building
resembles a cluster of white wings rising toward the sky.
Fitting image for a House of worship.
Saint Teresa's Catholic Church 1968 by William Cody This is one
(06:19):
of the most recognizable church buildings in the city.
Completed in 1968, it was designed with a striking
modernist form that departs fromthe typical European inspired
Catholic Church architecture. Its triangular A-frame structure
swords upward like folded hands in prayer.
This bold geometric silhouette is not only symbolic but also
(06:40):
practical, helping to create a cool interior in the desert.
Heat inside the church emphasizes simplicity and
openness, with natural light filtering in to illuminate the
altar. The sharp ankles and uncluttered
design reflect mid century sensibilities, focusing
worshippers attention on spiritual reflection rather than
(07:01):
ornate decoration. Cody's design makes extensive
use of glass, allowing natural light to pour into the
sanctuary. This connection between interior
and exterior reflects the desertmodernist ideal of blurring
boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
The building's innovative use ofform and material makes it not
(07:22):
just a place of worship, but also an architectural icon.
Saint Teresa remains a landmark for both the local Catholic
community and architecture enthusiasts.
I've always believed that religious organizations and
governments have a historical obligation to create noteworthy
architecture. These buildings remind us that
(07:42):
architecture can elevate the human spirit while reflecting
the unique beauty of its environment.
In Palm Springs, even the doors to the divine are framed by
modernist vision and desert light.
Support for a bird's eye view comes from Modernism Week,
celebrating global modernism andPalm Springs design each October
(08:04):
and February. Learnmore@modernismweek.com.
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