November 6, 2023
Refurbishing of the iconic, 166-foot, brick First Christian Church tower in Columbus, Ind., is expected to be completed Dec. 4 . . . and the project is coming in under budget. . . .
February 8, 2023
"Metropolis" magazine details the unique challenges Columbus, Ind., faces in helping preserve and save two architecturally significant church buildings that help define the city’s commitment to the Modern architectural style. Both church buildings—First Christian Church and North Christian Church—are connected with the Restoration Movement. Also we report on Dwight Good's passing (one half of the Good Twins singing duo), and more.
June 29, 2021
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.
September 9, 2020
By Jim Nieman First Christian Church of Columbus, Ind., recently received a big boost in its ongoing effort to fund repairs to its eye-catching and architecturally significant tower. The National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program awarded First Christian a $500,000 grant for the estimated $2.4 million project to repair the structural integrity of the 166-foot tower. “We’re thrilled for the award and for the project being recognized nationally,” said Jeff Logston, chairman of the First Christian Capital Projects Fundraising Committee. Still, he said, “we have more work to do. We’re going to need the community to help us get
January 22, 2020
By Chris Moon Kendall Wildey has been having quite a time in recent weeks. The associate pastor at East Columbus Christian Church in Indiana doubles as head basketball coach of nearby South Decatur High School. His team started its season 11-0, earning it the No. 6 ranking in the state and gaining statewide attention for its fast-tempo, high-scoring approach that has the team averaging more than 90 points per game. The Indianapolis Star recently wrote a feature article about Wildey and the team. But basketball is only half the story, if that much. On Jan. 5, Wildey baptized the team’s
May 2, 2019
Church letters are something we don’t hear much about these days. The first mention of church letters—a “to whom it may concern” letter of introduction on behalf of an individual written from Church A to Church B—appeared in Christian Standard in 1869. By the way, you’ll notice definite repetition in the headlines of these articles, which span 25 years. You will also notice there was consistent dissatisfaction with methods related to church letters, as evidenced by the first sentence of article 1. _ _ _ Church Letters Oct. 23, 1869; p. 1 Our Church Letters are certainly defective. . .
November 14, 2018
By Jim Nieman If you’ve been to Columbus, Indiana, you’ve seen First Christian Church—or at least its iconic 166-foot, brick-and-mortar tower. “You don’t see many pictures of Columbus that you don’t see First Christian Church’s tower,” says Steve Yeaton, senior minister of the church. The church’s building is possibly the most architecturally significant among Christian churches and churches of Christ. The 1942 structure is the product of Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen (assisted by his son, Eero, who later designed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis). It is the first contemporary church in Columbus, and it is one of the first
November 14, 2018
(This article is a sidebar to “Acclaimed Church Building Copes with Aging.”) By Jim Nieman “Our church is our people.” Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen honed in on that church member’s statement as he designed a new house of worship for Tabernacle Church of Christ—now known as First Christian Church—in Columbus, Ind. Saarinen and his son, Eero, stressed that point in 1940 in their “response to the building committee’s charge.” The Saarinens also wrote: In accordance with the wishes of the building committee, our endeavor has been to design not a mere church but a church expressing the religious aims
November 14, 2018
(This photo essay is a sidebar to two articles about First Christian Church in Columbus, Ind.: “Acclaimed Church Building Copes with Aging” and “First Christian: A ‘Modern’ Masterwork.”) Steve Yeaton, senior minister of First Christian Church, Columbus, Ind., shared a PowerPoint file of the evolution of a Skylight repair project at the church. The skylight is positioned above the sanctuary—the baptistery, specifically—and provides that room with natural light; it is an original part of the 1942 church, known internationally for its Modern architectural design. Unfortunately, the skylight had serious water damage and was leaking. The skylight ultimately was repaired for $166,000—more than
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