Author Interview with Liz Johnson on her book Chicago Churches: A Photographic Essay

Visitors since
1 December 2000
Liz Johnson, on
Chicago Churches: A Photographic Essay
Interviewed by John Hoh
Q: What prompted you to begin and carry out this project?

A: I was inspired by my grandfather who is a retired Episcopal priest. I grew up with an intimate relationship with the church. I was comfortable in the church because it was sort of a delicate playground for me growing up. I played in the pews, at the altar, and played the organ. The idea of photographing Chicago churches and arranging them as a photo essay was an idea that I have had for many years. I knew that it was something that hadn�t been documented that way before, in terms of showing Chicago�s diversity as reflected through its houses of worship. I realized through talking with many people that this was something I should do now, and shouldn�t wait. So I took the risk and began the project.

Q: How many pictures did you take and churches did you visit before you compiled this book?

A: I probably visited 150 churches before arriving at the final 100. Depending on the location and the lighting I took anywhere from 15 shots at a church, to 2 rolls of film at one church. And sometimes I would visit a church to photograph it, get my film back, and realize it wasn�t what I was going for, so I would have to return and reshoot the church.

Q: How did you arrive at 100 churches? What criteria did you use to select those 100?

A: I had to draw a line somewhere and 100 just seemed like a nice number. Arriving at the final 100 churches was definitely the most difficult part of this project. There are so many churches in Chicago that are so important to so many different people and the communities. There was no real criteria in terms of selecting the 100. But, I wanted to make sure that I displayed an intriguing and healthy cross-section of churches in terms of community, cultural and religious diversity.

Q: I noticed a broad spectrum of churches covering architectural styles and faiths. Why did you go with a broad spectrum?

A: The broad spectrum of architectural styles and faiths is the essence of the book. Chicago is probably one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. And, if you look at the storefront church as compared to the Gothic church, they are equally important to the people that worship there. I wanted to express the idea that no matter where the church is, or what it looks like, as people, we all really want the same things. We share similar goals, hopes and dreams. No matter what your beliefs are, faith plays a part. Our churches seem to be a perfect reflection of that.

Q: In taking the photographs and seeing the churches, what stuck out most in your research about churches in general, and these 100 in particular?

A: I think that in taking the photographs, and visiting such diverse communities to photograph them, It really emphasized the diversity of Chicago's communities even more than I had imagined or seen.

Q: What new projects do you plan in the future?

A: I have some really good ideas for new projects (which at this, point aren�t really concrete enough to talk about) but I hope to continue to publish more books, and hopefully to continue my photography and design while doing so.

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Visitors since 1 December 2000	Liz Johnson, on Chicago Churches: A Photographic Essay Interviewed by John Hoh Q: What prompted you to begin and carry out this project? A: I was inspired by my grandfather who is a retired Episcopal priest. I grew up with an intimate relationship with the church. I was comfortable in the church because it was sort of a delicate playground for me growing up. I played in the pews, at the altar, and played the organ. The idea of photographing Chicago churches and arranging them as a photo essay was an idea that I have had for many years. I knew that it was something that hadn�t been documented that way before, in terms of showing Chicago�s diversity as reflected through its houses of worship. I realized through talking with many people that this was something I should do now, and shouldn�t wait. So I took the risk and began the project. Q: How many pictures did you take and churches did you visit before you compiled this book? A: I probably visited 150 churches before arriving at the final 100. Depending on the location and the lighting I took anywhere from 15 shots at a church, to 2 rolls of film at one church. And sometimes I would visit a church to photograph it, get my film back, and realize it wasn�t what I was going for, so I would have to return and reshoot the church. Q: How did you arrive at 100 churches? What criteria did you use to select those 100? A: I had to draw a line somewhere and 100 just seemed like a nice number. Arriving at the final 100 churches was definitely the most difficult part of this project. There are so many churches in Chicago that are so important to so many different people and the communities. There was no real criteria in terms of selecting the 100. But, I wanted to make sure that I displayed an intriguing and healthy cross-section of churches in terms of community, cultural and religious diversity. Q: I noticed a broad spectrum of churches covering architectural styles and faiths. Why did you go with a broad spectrum? A: The broad spectrum of architectural styles and faiths is the essence of the book. Chicago is probably one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. And, if you look at the storefront church as compared to the Gothic church, they are equally important to the people that worship there. I wanted to express the idea that no matter where the church is, or what it looks like, as people, we all really want the same things. We share similar goals, hopes and dreams. No matter what your beliefs are, faith plays a part. Our churches seem to be a perfect reflection of that. Q: In taking the photographs and seeing the churches, what stuck out most in your research about churches in general, and these 100 in particular? A: I think that in taking the photographs, and visiting such diverse communities to photograph them, It really emphasized the diversity of Chicago's communities even more than I had imagined or seen. Q: What new projects do you plan in the future? A: I have some really good ideas for new projects (which at this, point aren�t really concrete enough to talk about) but I hope to continue to publish more books, and hopefully to continue my photography and design while doing so.