Historic Walking Tour - First Christian Church

Significance

The First Christian Church is an intact example of a 1920's Neo-classical style church. Many Corvallis congregations built churches in this style during the 1920's replacing the former wooden Gothic style churches. The location of the First Christian Church enhances its significance for several reasons: within a two block area bordering on Corvallis' Central Park, there are four of these 20th Century churches. Three of these churches have a Neo-classical design while one of the churches (Presbyterian) is English Gothic. Secondly, the church is adjacent to three buildings currently listed on the National Register: the Farra House, the Congregational Church, and the Corvallis Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan. Additionally, the church is located across the street from Central Park, a focal point in the Corvallis community. 

Physical Description 

The First Christian Church is a square, two-story, concrete building embellished on the main facade by eclectic design elements of 20th Century Neo-classical architecture. 

The building rests on a high, rusticated concrete foundation and includes a daylight basement. The concrete structure is reinforced with steel but much of the structural frame is wood. The symmetrically treated main facade (north elevation) features a projecting, full-height, pedimented portico. The portico is flanked by two large, square, concrete columns topped by simple capitals. The top of each of these capitals is embellish by square medallions with a quartrefoil design in relief. Between these two large columns are two smaller columns which have pilaster-like wooden boards attached to simulate the appearance of fluted columns. On the frieze on either side of these columns is a square medallion with a relief design of what appears to be anthemions. The tympanum of the pediment is ornamented with a circular design in relief. The raking cornice of the pediment is embellished by block modillions. 

The recessed entry features two double-leaf, fully glazed entry doors. The light sash of each door is ornamented by clathri in a radiating design . Above each door is a cornice style head and dentil course. 

In general, window size, type and fenestration varies. Recessed rectangular windows of stained glass are grouped two to a bay on the 1st and 2nd story of the main facade. Basement windows, which are composed of many small lights have a round arch head and concrete or plaster voussoirs. 

The roofline is adorned simply with recessed, rectangular panels. The roof appears to be flat and was originally covered with tile. 

A 1924 architect's rendering suggests that the main facade, and the exterior of the church in general, remains essentially unaltered. 

Historical Background 

The beginning of the First Christian Church in Corvallis dates to 1890 and a meeting held in the home of professor W.W. Bristow. Actual organization of the church took place in 1891 with the first church building built in 1892 on the site of the present church. This earlier building was a wood-frame building built by W.0. Heckart, the father of Charles Heckart who was responsible for the construction of the current church. 

In the early 1920's, Roald and DeYoung, Portland architects, were commissioned to design the present church. Among other buildings in the Corvallis area designed by these architects were the Madison Street Methodist Church and the Children's Farm Home School. 

Work was begun on the present church building in the spring of 1924. The cornerstone, a large piece of Barre granite, was set in place by the contractor in June of 1924. The church, which cost $45,000.00, was dedicated on March 8, 1925. The church's main auditorium was designed to seat 800 people. Another auditorium, McLean Hall, was located on the ground floor. 

Today, the building still serves as the center of activity for the First Christian Church. Partial remodeling of the church building occurred in 1961 but most of the changes involved the interior. 

Sources Consulted

• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Oregon, Jan. 1, 1924.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Oregon, June 23, 1924.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Oregon, March 9, 1925.
• Gilbert, Mrs. Earl, A History of the First Christian Church of Corvallis, Corvallis, Oregon, N.D.