![](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_17.jpg) |
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and School
3140 N. 51st. Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
Story by Alison King
|
One of several churches designed by Ralph Haver & Associates, this campus is distinguished by hosting a case-study triumvirate of Haver specialties all on the same campus: Residential, Church and School. It is a virtual temple to the superiority of local Superlite block as much as a religious house of worship. Here, the best of man-made materials, style and ingenuity collide.
This church has the delightful quality of most closely resembling Haver's Kon Tiki motel with its wide wood-clad overhangs and dramatic angles. Like the Lou Regester building of the same era the ceiling is is rough-hewn 2X4s standing on edge, which have weathered the last 50 years remarkably well, all things considered.![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_06.jpg)
A nameplate embedded as a brick in the wall makes this church's provenance clear.
The deeply shaded entryway creates a cool outdoor foyer.
![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_09.jpg) ![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_02.jpg) ![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_30.jpg)
Jimmie Nunn reports that many of the decorative Superlite blocks so popular in that era were referred to in the industry simply as "Haver Blocks", since Mr. Haver had a hand in designing them.![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_25.jpg)
The school campus design hearkens to the Hohokam Elementary school design of the same era.
The wooden ceiling intersects all the way through from exterior to interior.
![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_01.jpg) ![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_11.jpg)
Even the pastor's rectory is a compound of mini-Haver homes.
![Saint Vincent De Paul Church Phoenix Haver](images/stvincent/stvincent_08_20.jpg) |