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Jain Temple in Elmhurst

Jain Temple in Elmhurst

Surprising religious architecture is a theme in Elmhurst.

Photo (c) John Roleke
One of the first Jain temples in the United States, the Jain Center of America fits snuggly on Ithaca Street, amongst co-op buildings and across the street from St. Bartholomew Catholic Church.

First a one room temple, in 2005 it expanded into a 16,600 square foot temple, with worship for all five Jain sects. The architecture is surprising, yet in many ways like a lot of new buildings in Elmhurst and across Queens. Imagine a plain facade, and it could be a "Fedders"-style building. It's very well exectuted, and a must for fans of urban architecture.

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