Indiana Church Tower Project Awarded Second Major Grant

Efforts to repair and restore the structural integrity of First Christian Church’s historic and architecturally significant 166-foot tower that rises above downtown Columbus, Ind., received a second $500,000 boost last week just before a “Save Our Tower” campaign launched that seeks to raise $2.4 million.

The Jeffris Family Foundation awarded a half-million-dollar challenge grant that will provide a $1 match to every $2 pledged to the project. That follows a $500,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program awarded last August.

The brick-and-mortar clock tower is the first structure most motorists see as they approach Columbus, a city of about 45,000 that has approximately 60 Modern architecture buildings of note, of which seven are classified as National Historic Landmarks, including First Christian Church.

FCC, in fact, is where Columbus’ Modern architecture story began. It was completed in 1942, the product of Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen (assisted by his son, Eero). It was one of the first churches in the nation built in the Modern architectural style. But after nearly 80 years, the tower is showing its age. The top-third, especially, is showing the effects of weather and time.

“I believe that we are doing something that is truly counter-cultural,” FCC senior minister and Columbus native Steve Yeaton said at last Wednesday’s “Save Our Tower” launch, as quoted in The Republic, Columbus’s newspaper. “You don’t have to be a conservative or a liberal, a believer or a nonbeliever, a native of Columbus or some other part of the world to be inspired to enjoy the beauty, and the majesty of this tower and what it represents as an anchor for what Columbus is best-known for—bold, innovative architecture.”

Church leaders say FCC strives to be a good caretaker of the building by working in partnership with the city, the community, and organizations to help fund certain projects necessary to maintaining it. The church has been upfront about what it can and cannot do. The $2.4 million tower repair is simply one project it cannot do alone. The tower, though a key element of Saarinen’s design, has no direct bearing on the quality of worship at the church.

Jeff Logston, chairman of the First Christian Capital Projects Fundraising Committee, has said the tower improvements, which the church hopes to commence next year, will be designed to last 75 to 100 years.

Those who wish to support the “Save Our Tower” campaign may do so at saveourtower.org or fccoc.org.