The Old Church (Portland, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Calvary Presbyterian Church
|
|
_-_Portland,_Oregon.jpg)
The Old Church in 2011
|
|
 Location in Portland, Oregon
|
|
| Location | 1422 SW 11th Avenue Portland, Oregon |
|---|---|
| Built | 1882 |
| Built by | W. F. Lewis |
| Architect | Warren Heywood Williams |
| Architectural style | Gothic, High Victorian Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001086 |
| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1972 |
The Old Church, originally known as Calvary Presbyterian Church, is a beautiful old building in downtown Portland, Oregon. It's a special type of church building known as Carpenter Gothic, which means it looks like a fancy stone church but is made mostly of wood. Built in 1882, it was designed by a famous Portland architect named Warren Heywood Williams. Inside, you can see amazing stained glass windows made by the Povey Brothers Studio, another local Portland company. This historic building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Old Church's Story
From Church to Community Hub
The building was first used as the Calvary Presbyterian Church until 1948. After that, it was sold to different Baptist churches. By 1965, the building was no longer in use and was put up for sale. For a while, it seemed like the old church might be torn down.
Saving a Historic Treasure
In 1967, a group of people formed a non-profit organization called "Old Church." Their goal was to save this important building. They worked hard for a year, raising money to buy it. On April 1, 1969, they successfully bought the building. The group then changed its name to the Old Church Society.
A big part of saving the church was thanks to Lannie Hurst, an actress and performer. She led the first efforts to raise money and preserve the building. Her work was so successful that The Oregon Journal newspaper named her one of 10 "Women of Accomplishment" in 1969. They said that few fundraising campaigns had ever gotten so much support from people in Portland.
In 1972, the building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect important historical sites across the United States.
What The Old Church Does Today
Today, The Old Church is a non-profit organization. Its main goals are to restore and preserve the historic building. They also provide a space for art and cultural events. Over the years, a lot of work has been done to fix up the inside and outside of the church. These updates help keep the building's historic look while adding modern features.
For example, they've added a new stage, a bar, and modern sound and lighting systems. Since 1969, The Old Church has hosted free lunch-time concerts every Wednesday. They also have concerts by both local and touring artists. The space is also used for weddings and other special events, making it a lively part of the community.
See also
