First Church of Christ, Scientist (Riverside, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Church of Christ, Scientist
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3606 Lemon St., Riverside, California |
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| Built | 1901 |
| Architect | Arthur Burnett Benton; F.L. Spaulding |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001250 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1992 |
The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Riverside, California, is a very old and important building. It was built in 1901 and has a special look called Mission Revival style. You can find it at 3606 Lemon Street. People have said it was "the church that introduced Christian Science to Southern California."
A famous architect named Arthur Burnett Benton from Los Angeles designed it. Because of its history and design, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1992. It is still used today as an active Christian Science church.
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A Look Inside the First Church of Christ, Scientist
This historic church is a great example of early 20th-century architecture. It stands as a landmark in Riverside. The building's design tells a story about the time it was built.
How Old is This Church?
The church building was started a long time ago. The very first stone, called a cornerstone, was placed on October 24, 1900. The building was finished quickly. Official papers saying it was done were filed on February 10, 1901. Just a few weeks later, on February 24, 1901, the church held its first Sunday service. This means the church is over 120 years old!
Christian Science Comes to Riverside
Christian Science is a religion that was started by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866. It came to Riverside even before the church building was finished. In fact, Christian Science was first shared publicly in Riverside about nine years earlier.
The Christian Science Journal from October 1891 mentioned "Regular Sunday Services of Scientists" in Riverside. These early meetings happened in the home of Emma Stanton Davis. She was a student of Mary Baker Eddy. Emma Davis moved to Riverside in 1887 and began helping people through Christian Science. Records show that Riverside was the first place in California where a student taught Christian Science classes.
Who Designed This Beautiful Church?
The main person who designed this church was Arthur Burnett Benton. He was a very well-known architect. The church's style is mostly Mission Revival. This style was very popular in California at the time.
Benton designed other famous buildings nearby too. Just one block from the church is his most famous work, the Mission Inn. This hotel is known all over the world. He also designed the Riverside Municipal Auditorium. This building is right next to the church property.
The Mission Revival Style
The Mission Revival style is inspired by the old Spanish missions in California. It often includes features like:
- Smooth stucco walls
- Red tile roofs
- Arched doorways and windows
- Bell towers
Inside the church, the original design followed the Craftsman style. This meant using natural wood that was lightly colored. You could see the wooden beams on the ceiling. However, in the 1950s, the wood and ceiling beams were covered. They were painted white with blue decorations. This change made the inside look more like a classical building. The church members might have preferred this new look.
