Montgomery County
Planning Department
2425 Reedie Drive, 14th Floor
Wheaton, MD 20902
Planning Department
2425 Reedie Drive, 14th Floor
Wheaton, MD 20902
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River Road Unitarian Church (1964)
6301 River Road, Bethesda
Keyes, Lethbridge & Condon. Donald Lethbridge principal architect.
The Unitarian denomination has been identified as a driver of innovation and design in churches from nationally recognized to locally important examples. River Road Unitarian Church received several design awards, including 
American Institute of Architects award of merit 1966. Lethbridge was the partner in charge for River Road Unitarian Church (with the first phase completed in 1966). The River Road Church sanctuary is outfitted in warm wood paneling and designed with wooden elements including paneling, balcony railing and even light fixtures of wood. A tremendous wall of glass looks out onto a natural setting. Keyes, Lethbridge & Condon also designed Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, in association with Pietro Belluschi.
In the mid-century era, the nation was engaged in the greatest boom in church building in the country’s history. Contributing factors were a backlog of projects caused by economic hardship of the Great Depression, followed by shortage of materials during World War II. 
In addition, new suburban communities arose from farmland as developers provided housing for returning veterans, made affordable with low-interest government loans. Situated outside the nation’s capital, with a booming population, Montgomery County was particularly well-primed for a wave of church construction. Churches were often the first community buildings constructed among the new subdivisions. Architects of churches in Montgomery County recall that in this era they had little family life, as they were attending a church committee meeting nearly every day of the week.
More Resources and Information
Learn more about the architect who designed River Road Unitarian Church.
Modern Architecture Tour
Last updated: February 12, 2014