First Lutheran Church (Dayton, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Lutheran Church
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Front of the church
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 138 W. 1st St., Dayton, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Peters, Burns, and Pretzinger |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002011 |
| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1983 |
First Lutheran Church is a very old and beautiful church located right in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. It was built in the early 1900s for a big group of people who worshipped there. This church looks a lot like grand, old churches you might see in Europe. Because it's so special, it has been recognized as a historic site.
History of the Church Community
First Lutheran Church started way back in 1839. At first, the church members met in a store. Soon after, they built their very first church building in downtown Dayton. Even though they have had several different buildings since 1839, they have always stayed in the downtown area.
This church helped start many other Lutheran churches in the Dayton area. Its members helped create six new churches over time. Also, during the American Civil War, some disagreements caused a group to leave and form their own church in 1864.
This church used to be very large, with about 2,500 members in 1948. However, as more people moved to the suburbs, the number of members changed. Between 2000 and 2013, the membership went from 457 people to 78. The average number of people attending services also changed, but it has recently started to increase again.
The Church Building's Design
The current church building was finished in 1906. It is built in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like the grand Gothic churches from long ago. The building is made of stone that has a rough, natural look. It was designed by architects named Peters, Burns, and Pretzinger.
The architects wanted the church to look like the most important Lutheran churches in Europe. So, they added special features like stained glass windows showing some of the Twelve Apostles and the Four Evangelists. They also included traditional details like carved faces on the stone arches and a painted ceiling that shows the building's structure.
One of the most striking parts of the church is its central tower, which stands 100 feet tall. The church also has tall, thin, pointed windows and walls made of stone with different colored veins. It is the only church in downtown Dayton built in the Gothic Revival style that is still standing today.
Protecting This Historic Place
In 1983, First Lutheran Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical building because of its amazing architecture. It is one of five churches in Dayton that have this special honor. The other four are Catholic churches located in different parts of the city. Only First Lutheran and Sacred Heart are located downtown.
