This geodesic dome was erected inside the former St. Charles Borromeo Church at 2704 W. Chestnut St. in 1971. Parishioners created the dome as a worship space, leaving room in the remainder of the now-closed church for other parish and community events, according to Father Patrick Delahanty, who served at the parish.
The caption from 1971 says the dome was blessed on Feb. 21, 1971, by Archbishop Thomas J. McDonough. It said the dome was about 30 feet high and 41 feet in diameter and seated about 150 people.
Father Delahanty said in a recent email that the dome was designed by Jasper Ward, who helped parishioners install the structure.
“Its rich earth tones and tent-like shape resembled elements of African architecture,” he noted. “It was appropriately dedicated to St. Charles Lwanga, one of the Ugandan martyrs.”
What a perfectly tacky expression of bad taste, as well as, a lack of proper pastoral leadership,