Church construction with Rilco Laminated Wood

Published in 1958 by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., this trade catalog represents a specific era of mid-century architectural innovation. Rilco was a prominent manufacturer of structural glued laminated timber, commonly referred to as glulam, which became a favored material for church architecture during the post-war building boom. The publication was designed to serve as a technical resource and marketing tool for architects and church building committees, showcasing how engineered wood could provide expansive, open-span interiors that were both aesthetically striking and cost-effective compared to traditional masonry or steel framing.

The document reflects a period when the timber industry sought to modernize the traditional church aesthetic, moving away from heavy gothic stone in favor of light, soaring wooden arches and beams. Through various photographic case studies and structural diagrams, the catalog illustrates the capabilities of Rilco's factory-finished laminated wood arches. It was received by the professional design community as a functional specification guide, highlighting how industrial manufacturing techniques could be adapted to meet the spiritual and spatial requirements of mid-century liturgical design.