Historic Walking Tour - Madison Street Methodist Church

Significance

The Methodist Church South Building is significant for the role it has played in religious and governmental activities in Corvallis during the 20th century. Although neither architecturally pure, nor great, the exterior of the building today provides an intact example of local church architecture in the 1920's, a period during which many Corvallis congregations built new edifices to replace their wood-frame Gothic-style churches. In most cases, these churches looked to the classical period for design inspiration. 

Physical Description 

The Methodist Church South is a two-story building, L-shaped in plan, with approximate dimensions of 100' (south elevation) by 75' (east elevation). Stylistically, the design is eclectic combining 20th century classical and colonial elements. 

A high rusticated concrete foundation provides for a basement story. Above a concrete water table, the walls are constructed of hollow concrete or cement blocks and faced with red brick laid using a Flemish bond. Header bricks are darker in color than are the stretcher bricks. The portico area of the main facade (south elevation) is constructed of wood. The pedimented projecting pavilion is two stories in height and is located off center to the east. Six colossal fluted columns of the Doric order support an entablature embellished only at the architrave by a fretwork pattern. The pediment is also undecorated. A lunette-shaped louvered vent punctuates the tympanum. 

The main entry and stairway are reached by a double side stairway. The landing is fronted by a metal with a fretwork pattern attached to two truncated square piers with simple capitals at either end. The portico is flanked by two colossal fluted pilasters and features a classically trimmed double entry door. The most common windows are double hung sash windows composed of many small lights. Window size, shape and fenestration varies, however. The original nave area was lighted by two bays each composed of three large windows (three 28-over-28 double hung sash windows over three double casement windows with 24 lights) . Stained glass windows were originally in this location. 

A Palladian window is located in the gable end of the west elevation and is trimmed with a round head of stretcher bricks and a concrete keystone. In general, windows are recessed and have flat heads of stretcher bricks. Sills are composed of header bricks. 

Above a wide frieze, the gently pitched hip and gable, truss roof is covered with composition shingles. A pedimented gable is located on the east elevation and eaves return on the west elevation. A wide exterior brick chimney is located on the east elevation. 

Comparison of the building today with the 1924 architect's rendering indicates that the exterior of the building remains essentially unaltered. The interior of the building has undergone many changes, however, as it was adapted for use as the Corvallis City Hall. Modifications include false ceilings and numerous room partitions. Many original elements still exist including the main staircase, some of the original doors, moldings, paneling, and pilasters. Original stained glass windows were removed and placed in the McFarland Methodist Church north of Monroe. Today these windows are stored at the Monroe Methodist Church. 

Historical Background 

The South Methodist Church was organized in 1858 by Rev. Orsenith Fisher. After his arrival in Corvallis, the Methodist Episcopal Church South authorized acquisition of a parcel of property bounded by 5th and 6th streets on the east and west, and Madison and Monroe streets on the north and south. 

The one building already on this property, a school, continued as Corvallis College under the guidance of the Methodists. In 1868, the state wished to establish an Agricultural College under the Morrill Act of 1862. An arrangement was entered into by the State and Corvallis College by which a certain sum of money was paid for each student who entered and desired to take the prescribed course of the agricultural college. A joint board of regents was formed, one half being appointed by the governor and one half elected by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The church turned over all interest in the college in 1885, but retained the property. 

In 1896, a new Methodist Church building was erected for the congregation on the southeast corner of this block. This wood-frame, gothic style church was moved across the street to the east in 1923 in preparation for the construction of a new brick edifice. Concerning the new building, an article in the Corvallis Gazette-Times of Jan. 1, 1924 noted: 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church South is erecting a handsome new structure on 5th and Madison, an up-to-date plant equipped for departmental Sunday school and for regular week-night classes. There will be a ladies parlor, a well furnished kitchen, and a large banqueting room. The Epworth League is to have its own room. The building will be heated by an up-to-date heating plant. The music committee is arranging for a pipe organ." 
Cost of the building was approximately $50,000. DeYoung and Roald, architects of the Methodist Church South, also designed the First Christian Church near Central Park that same year. Heckart and Son, a local contracting firm, was hired to build the church. 
An article in the Corvallis Gazette written when construction was nearly completed noted that: 

"The church has nineteen rooms besides hallways, and closet, and toilets. Everything is complete and up-to-date in arrangement.. . A splendid ladies' parlour with kitchenette attached is one of the delightful features... the kitchen and pantry are beautiful and well equipped for work. The banqueting room will seat 300 folk." 
The same G.T. article also describes the auditorium noting that: 
"The arched ceiling is done in old ivory and the walls in keen gray. The woodwork is shell gray and the paneling is buff gray. The pews are of quarter sawed oak and massive and elegant. The windows are rich and beautiful."

In 1941, the Southern Methodists united with the First Methodist Episcopal Church on N.W. 11th and Monroe. Shortly thereafter, during World War II, the building became the site of the United Service Organizations Canteen where servicemen stationed at Oregon State College and Camp Adair gathered for recreation. After the war, it became a women's dormitory for Oregon State College. In 1948, the city entered into a lease with the federal government which provided an option to purchase this building. The building then became known as the Community Center Building. In 1956 when the old Corvallis City Hall, built in 1892, was torn down to make way for a department store, this building provided "temporary" headquarters for city hall. This building has functioned as the Corvallis City Hall ever since that time. 

Sources Consulted

• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Community Review Issue, Jan 1, 1924, p. 5.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Aug 23, 1924.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Sept 8, 1924.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Jan 1, 1925.
• Gazette-Times, Corvallis, May - June 1948.
• First United Methodist Church of Corvallis, Personal Communication, 1984.
• Munford, Kenneth, "City Hall was Church", in Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Or. June 11, 1984.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1927.