Saints Philip & James Catholic Church
| Saints Philip & James Catholic Church | |
|---|---|
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| Site Information | |
| Address | 2801 N Charles St |
| Geo-reference | 39°19′22″N 76°37′01″W / 39.32265°N 76.61682°W |
| Building Data | |
| Building Type | Church |
| Design | |
| Architect | Theodore Wells Pietsch |
| Construction | |
| Completed | 1930 |
Around 1925, Pietsch was chosen by Father John Edward Wade as architect for the new Saints Philip and James Catholic Church. Their old building needed to be replaced for baptisms, confirmations, and other large events. The pews kept overflowing, forcing parishioners to stand in the aisles and at the rear. Upsizing was necessary, but Father Wade’s choice was somewhat unusual. Pietsch was not a native Baltimorean, nor was he Catholic. But he got to work anyway. A number of local contractors placed bids. The contract went for $388,918 to the M.A. Long Construction Company in 1928. Pietsch was a perfectionist, and he wanted his entire composition to possess both dignity and grace, matching the opportunity the site afforded him. The building was completed in 1930, a few months after Pietsch’s death.
The church and parish house are admirable buildings, residing in the Charles Village neighborhood of Baltimore.
Above the altar, Washington-based artist-sculptor, John Joseph Earley, was paid just under ten per cent of the entire construction cost to execute mosaic-like images of Christ the King, flanked by angels, with Old Testament figures David, Abraham and Melchizedek on one side and New Testament figures St. Peter, St. Gregory the Great and St. Agatha on the other.
John Joseph Earley was paid $54,400, which was more than double the $21,250 price for all the stained glass windows in Saints Philip and James Catholic Church.
