First Presbyterian Church of Redmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Presbyterian Church of Redmond
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This church was used by religious groups from 1912 until 1979.
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| Location | Redmond, Oregon, USA |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000931 |
| Added to NRHP | 2001 |
Built in 1912, the First Presbyterian Church of Redmond is the oldest church building still standing in the city of Redmond, Oregon. It is also the second-oldest religious building in all of Deschutes County.
The church was designed in the Gothic Revival style, which was popular for churches and gave it a classic, grand look. It also has some details from the Queen Anne style. For many years, from 1912 until 1979, it was a home for Protestant groups.
Today, the building is privately owned and is used as a special place for events like weddings and concerts. Because of its history and beautiful design, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This list recognizes important buildings in American history.
Contents
History of the Church
A New Church for a New City
The first Presbyterian group, or congregation, in Redmond started in 1906, just one year after the city was founded. A minister named Reverend Jesse C. George was sent to Central Oregon to serve nearby communities. Soon, people in Redmond asked him to hold church services for them, too.
The new congregation met in different places around the city at first. In 1910, they bought land on 7th Street to build a permanent church. Construction began in 1911 and the building was finished and dedicated on June 30, 1912. A local newspaper reported that the church cost $5,000 to build and could seat 250 people.
Changes and Growth
As Redmond grew, so did the church. In 1929, another local church, the First Methodist Church, joined with the Presbyterians. The combined group was renamed the Redmond Community Presbyterian Church.
In 1943, the church went through a major renovation. The biggest change was inside the main room, called the sanctuary. Originally, the seats were in a semicircle facing east. After the change, the pews were set in straight rows facing north, where a new altar and pulpit were placed. In 1948, a large new hall for classes and events was built next to the church.
A New Purpose for an Old Building
The congregation used the church until 1979, when they moved to a new, larger building. The historic church was sold but remained empty for many years. In 1992, new owners bought it and opened a dance school inside.
After the dance school closed, the building was sold again. In 2004, it was purchased to be used as a venue for special events. Today, it is a private business called The Historic Redmond Church. It hosts weddings, concerts, art shows, and community meetings.
The Building's Design
The church sits on a city lot at the corner of 7th Street and Cascade Avenue. It is a one-story rectangular building with a tall, two-story steeple on the corner above the main entrance.
Inside the steeple's belfry is the church's original bell, which is 40 inches wide. The bell was made by the American Bell and Foundry Company. At the very top of the steeple is a fancy metal decoration called a finial.
All the windows in the church have a pointed Gothic arch shape. The largest window is actually a group of four arched windows with a circular rose window above them. This entire group is set inside one large arch, creating a beautiful centerpiece on the wall.
Inside the Church
The ceiling in the main sanctuary is very high, at 19 feet. The walls are made of lath and plaster, and the lower part of the walls is covered with wooden paneling called wainscoting.
When the church was first built, the pews were arranged in a half-circle. During the 1944 renovation, the room was rearranged so the pews faced the north end of the building. Today, the sanctuary is an open space that can be set up in different ways for events.
In one corner of the building, there are two smaller rooms that have their original hanging glass-globe lights. A hallway leads from the sanctuary to a back door, a restroom, and a small office.
