Mendocino Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mendocino Presbyterian Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Mendocino Presbyterian Church
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| Location | 44831 Main Street Mendocino, California |
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| Built | 1867-1868 |
| Architect | S. C. Bugbee & Son of San Francisco, architects; Albert Maxwell, contractor |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| Part of | Mendocino and Headlands Historic District (ID71000165) |
The Mendocino Presbyterian Church is a very old and beautiful church building. It is located at 44831 Main Street in Mendocino, California. This church is built in a special style called Carpenter Gothic.
It was made using strong coast redwood wood. The church sits right on the Mendocino headlands, which are cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its outside walls are made of "board and batten," which means long boards with thin strips covering the gaps. It has a tall bell tower on the side and a steep roof. The windows are tall and narrow, called lancet windows, which are common in this style. Local artist Leone McNeil Zimmer created the church's pretty stained glass windows.
This church is very important historically. It is recognized as California Historical Landmark No. 714. It is also part of the Mendocino and Headlands Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 14, 1971.
Church History
Building the Church
The Mendocino Presbyterian Church was designed by architects S. C. Bugbee & Son from San Francisco. It was built between 1867 and 1868. The building cost about $10,000 at that time. Albert Maxwell was the contractor who oversaw the building work. The church was officially opened and dedicated on July 5, 1868.
A Model for Other Churches
This church's design was so good that it inspired another church. A smaller, but more detailed, church called the Church of the Good Shepherd in Berkeley was designed later. Charles L. Bugbee, the son of S. C. Bugbee, designed it in the late 1880s.
Church on the Big Screen
In 1947, parts of a movie called Johnny Belinda were filmed at the church. Famous actors Jane Wyman and Lew Ayres starred in the movie. The money the church received from the filming helped them buy a new roof.
The Church Today
An Active Community
Today, the Mendocino Presbyterian Church is still a very active church. It is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is one of the oldest Protestant churches in California that has been used continuously since it was built. The Rev. Matthew E. Davis is the current pastor.
