Andrew Gould Explores American Orthodox Church Design at PAIDEIA

Photo: "Andrew Gould on Building Orthodox Culture in America," Protecting Veil / YouTube screenshot

BOLIVAR, PA — The keynote address of Andrew Gould at the Third Annual PAIDEIA Conference, held June 3–6, 2025, has been released, offering a sweeping reflection on the development of Orthodox church architecture in America. Gould traces the evolution of parish design from early 20th-century examples that harmonized with American culture to later trends shaped by modernism and nostalgia, while highlighting contemporary efforts.

In his address, Gould emphasizes the importance of balancing local and universal identity in Orthodox life and art. “I will begin with the proposition that the church must hold dear both the local and the universal identity.” He further explains the deeper purpose of this balance, stating, “Christianity holds the universal and the local in exquisite balance.”

Gould, who designed St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church—recently damaged by lightning—also points to historical examples that successfully integrated American aesthetics with Orthodox tradition, suggesting a path forward for future church design.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a lightning strike caused a fire at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Greenville, SC.

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