It is of Gothic design and is patterned after the famous Melrose Abbey in Scotland that was built in the 13th century.

The architectural firm of George D. Mason completed the church based on preliminary designs by Wirt Rowland.

Services were held in the Undercroft beginning in 1952 and continued during the construction of the church until a disastrous fire destroyed most of the roof.

Set on 40 acres (160,000 m2) of beautifully landscaped lakeside grounds, Kirk in the Hills constitutes a fine example of Gothic architecture in the United States.

The church contains sculpture by some of the leading architectural sculptors of the day, Lee Lawrie, Corrado Parducci, and John Angel and Italian stone carver Harry Liva of Ingalls Stone Company in Bedford, IN, who worked in Indiana Oolitic limestone.