Richard Upjohn: Draft

Richard Upjohn: Reviving Gothic Architecture

Architectural design of churches and cathedrals is an art that has been practiced for thousands of years and continuously recreates ancient styles of construct. The New York City, and Brooklyn area during the mid 1800’s was a popular area for the reconstruction of beautiful, elaborate churches. Richard Upjohn, an architect who promoted that classic Italian and Gothic styles of construction, was responsible for the restoration of many of these places of worship. Upjohn’s life spanned from January 1802 – August 1878, yet he had not fully began his architect career until the 1840’s. He was also crowned president of the American Institute for Architects between 1857 and 1876.

Upjohn’s most famous architectural success was the re-building of the Trinity Church in New York City, featuring classic Gothic design with upward pointing towers topped with crosses, detailed edges with carvings, and castle-like walls. The towers were designed to symbolize pointing upward towards heaven. Some of Upjohn’s other works included the Church of Holy Apostles, the Church of the Holy Communion, and the Church of Ascension, all located within the NYC/Brooklyn area. Although his specialty was in gothic restoration, Upjohn in his career had also been responsible for contributing architectural work towards schools and colleges, mansions, and even houses including his own.

Richard Upjohn, as stated in his biography by Everard Upjohn, had had too many jobs in his career worth noting and that listing them would be impossible. Early in his life, Upjohn had worked in the cabinetmaking and draftsmanship fields. His earliest construction took place in Maine, working on houses and little by little gaining experience in the construction and architecture of such buildings. Little is known of Upjohn’s accomplishments before 1846 when his re-construction of the Trinity Church was complete. The original building was constructed in the early 1600’s by American settlers. The Church of Ascension, also re-built by Upjohn after a fire, featured similar architecture of the Gothic world as did Trinity; both with single entrance towers and rectangular bodies for the worshippers. Pillars and arches made the walls of the interior with elegant window and alter construction. The ceilings reached extremely high with pointy, sharp designs in wood lining the top. The interior tried to emphasized greatness and direction of heaven.

Many of the churches Richard Upjohn had worked on can almost be seen as identical to some European churches and cathedrals which are of course much older and original. It goes to show that ancient styles of architecture in churches do not evolve and change; if anything, our local churches are progressively simplified in stature. The construction and architecture of churches is an art developed to glorify the Lord and Heaven, a factor which is progressively lacking in today’s world.Upjohn's work can be be seen throughout the city of New York and Brooklyn. Large crowds continue to attend services at his churches and admire the broad exterior and elaborate interior. Richard Upjohn had a motivation to create a beautiful setting for places of worship.