“Encouraging interfaith dialogue on cultural understanding by sharing sacred space.”
Our Mission
The mission of Sacred Space International is to encourage interfaith dialogue on cultural diversity by sharing sacred space. We are a secular organization seeking to draw awareness to the diversity of faith traditions and bringing sacred spaces to light for an expanding public.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create programs that reach across disciplinary, cultural, religious, and geographic boundaries in order to explore the architectural implications of sacred space in our increasingly pluralistic society.
History
Sacred Space International was founded in 2002 by Suzanne Morgan to promote interfaith education and dialogue through the understanding of religious architecture. Morgan, a retired architect with expertise in liturgical design, started the organization in response to the events of September 11th, 2001, and the subsequent climate of social tension, cultural misunderstanding, and fear. She conceived the idea of religious architecture as a catalyst for interfaith dialogue and education. Without promoting any single faith or tradition, the organization sought to use the common language of architecture as an educational means to foster reciprocal respect, awareness, and appreciation of the different traditions that comprise our pluralistic society.
Our programs revolve around the common language of architecture and sacred space. We believe that Chicago is a perfect place for us to be situated, being both a center for architecture, historic preservation, and the interfaith movement.
Board of Directors
Mr. John Spitkovsky, Board Chairman & President
Mr. Rick Roberts, Vice President
Mr. Cyrus Rivetna, Secretary
Mr. David Phelps, Treasurer
Mr. Rob Graber, Director
Mr. Abe Thompson, Director
Ms. Linda Mensch, Director
Ms. Suzanne Morgan, Founder & Director Emeritus
Directors Emeriti
Ms. Denice Gustin-Piazza, ChairmanMr. Jose Morales, Director
Rabbi Herbert Bronstein, Rabbi Emeritus North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, IL,
Dr. Kay Read, Professor, DePaul University
Mr. Ralph Achilles, Professor, SAIC
Ms. Dubravka Deppen,
Mr. John Laird
Staff
Dirk Fica, President/CEO of The Council for a Parliament of World Religions (CPWR)
Sacred Space International, Inc. is a collaborative program provider with CPWR.
Contact Information
Sacred Space International
c/o The Council for a Parliament of World Religions
www.parliamentofreligions.org 70 East Lake Street, Suite 205
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312.629.2990
Email: info@sacredspaceinternational.org
Sacred Space International is currently classified as a public charity and is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Service tax codes 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1).
