A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
Architect and artist Dennis Maher has transformed a church built in 1870 into an art gallery, wood shop, architecture studio and home of the Society for the Advancement of Construction Related Arts, which runs education programs to teach the building trades.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Assembly House 150, a church built in 1870, has been reimagined by architect Dennis Maher as an art gallery, wood shop, architecture studio and home of the Society for the Advancement of Construction Related Arts, or SACRA, which runs education programs to teach the building trades.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Maher's signature found-object sculpture work adorns the exterior of the installation that serves as the auditorium. In the background is the wood shop, where students have access to a wide range of woodworking tools.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The arches are contrasted by the varying shapes of the installations below. The installation at left was built by SACRA students to demonstrate the wide range of techniques the students master in the program.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
One of the original stained glass windows from the church is being restored.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Architect Dennis Maher holds up a glass fragment featuring the face of a saint from an original stained glass window from the church, which is being restored.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of stained glass windows in the front stairwell.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The arches are contrasted by the varying shapes of the installations below.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Portions of the ceiling and walls have been removed, revealing the methods used in the construction the building.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of a 3D map of Buffalo in one of Maher's most recent installations featuring artifacts of architect August Minks.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Assistant Instructor Caz Garrison measures the angles while building a bookshelf in the installation that serves as the library.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Bookshelves in the installation that serves as the library.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Lead instructor Quincy Koczka cuts boards on the table saw while making a project for the agency's fundraising auction.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Quincy Koczka sets up the table saw for a cut while making a project for the agency's fundraising auction.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The wood shop is located on the altar of the former church.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Assistant instructor Caz Garrison applies a coat of varnish inside the installation that serves as the library.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Maher makes notes for a project on a workbench in the wood shop.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
A sprawling art installation made with found objects combined in creatively whimsical architectural arrangements made by Maher and his students in his signature style.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of one of Maher's found-object sculptures.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of one of Maher's found-object sculptures on the exterior of the structure that holds a small auditorium.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Assembly House 150.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The window above the sanctuary.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The front of the former sanctuary is sectioned off as an art gallery.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The original woodwork that greets visitors at the entrance, with a few modern additions.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Not-so-traditional wood paneling in a bathroom.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Maher's found-object sculpture work adorns the exterior of the installation that serves as the auditorium.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of a pipe organ console that is being used in an unconventional restoration of the church's organ system.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The vaulted ceiling above the wood shop, where the altar used to be.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of projects in varying degrees of completion in the wood shop.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
An installation features steps that can be used as an auditorium for lectures and performances.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Detail of a stained glass window.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
An installation features steps that can be used as an auditorium for lectures and performances. The former altar, left, is the home of the full wood shop.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Wood materials are stacked up behind the window of the demonstration house.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Materials are sorted and stored for use in future projects.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
The inside of the demonstration house, which features the scope of building and woodworking techniques students learn in the program.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
In the former sanctuary are several large-scale installations.
A Closer Look: Assembly House 150, a place of worship turned place of learning
Assembly House 150.
In this Series
Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures
This series has taken Buffalo News photographers inside, outside, above and, on occasion, underneath local landmarks and to places most people…
