Daystar is pleased to report that in 2023, a collection of materials from the most prolific architectural design firm of Christian Science church buildings was donated to Daystar by Charles Draper Faulkner, Jr., and his family. The visually intriguing collection includes architectural drawings, photos, slides, and documents, among other historical items, related to the combined 75 years of design work of over 160 Christian Science churches by 20th century Chicago-based architects Charles Draper Faulkner, Sr., and Jr.
Charles Draper Faulkner, Sr. (1890-1979), began his career in 1913 with the Chicago firm of Solon Spencer Beman, one of the architects of the 1906 Mother Church Extension in Boston. By 1919, he opened his own firm, Charles D. Faulkner, Architect, and in 1949 his son, Charles Draper Faulkner, Jr. (1926-), joined the firm. The two became partners in 1959 and established Faulkner-Faulkner & Associates. When Charles Sr. passed on in 1979, Charles Jr. continued as the principal and lead architect of the firm until his retirement in 1994.
Both Charles Sr. and Jr. designed a variety of commercial and residential buildings, but they primarily designed Christian Science church edifices. Between them both, the Faulkners designed over 160 Christian Science churches, the most of any firm in the world. Their designs were constructed in 38 states in the US and in Tokyo, Japan.
The scope of the Faulkner collection focuses primarily on the middle and late decades of the 20th century. The content of the collection includes original design contracts, architectural drawings and renderings, large-format photographs, 35mm color slides, digital photograph files, drafting tools, state registration embossing seals and licenses, award certificates, and books.
Notable books include Notes on Architecture: Responsible Architectural Design by Charles Draper Faulkner, Jr. (2022, 183 pp.), a self-published, well-illustrated biographical and philosophical survey of the careers of Charles D. Faulkner, Sr., and Jr., and Christian Science Church Edifices by Charles Draper Faulkner, Sr. (1946, 417 pp.), another self-published, well-illustrated survey of designs of Christian Science church edifices (including those of other architects besides Charles Sr.) primarily in the United States, as well as a guide to the processes undertaken to plan for and construct an effective Christian Science church building.
Guests to Daystar are warmly invited to view featured items from the collection on display, and research requests may be submitted to info@daystarfoundation.org.
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