Church Mutual is sponsoring a PBS film/documentary called Revealing Secrets Embedded in American Sacred Architecture. The program will air on PBS stations on April 18, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. and will also air nationally in April.

Sacred buildings are the cornerstone of life for communities all across America, representing some of the greatest feats of innovative engineering and artistic design. Embedded in the architecture of these churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples is a secret language of sorts that influences both the faithful inside, and the broader culture outside. Examples include hidden messages in stained-glass windows; the surprising reason for tall steeples; the influence of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on gothic architecture and the curious gargoyle on the Washington National Cathedral — that looks remarkably similar to Darth Vader.

“There is so much hidden meaning in every church and synagogue, viewers will never see their local buildings in quite the same way after watching the film,” said co-producer Michael Trinklein.

“At my own church, dozens of curious design elements suddenly jumped out at me. You just have to know what to look for.” Added co-producer Steve Boettcher, “The architecture of these sacred buildings defines our landscape—it’s the art and science of awe. We experience awe when we are in the presence of something that is vast and it puts our life into perspective very quickly.”

Secrets of Sacred Architecture includes buildings from all across the United States and includes numerous churches from within Wisconsin, as well.