Designed by H. Whitehouse Sixth Church of Christ Scientist stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity. This church is a beacon of faith and a symbol of resilience. Let’s step back in time and explore the story etched in its very stones.
Sixth Church of Christ Scientist’s architectural style is unique. Experts call it Art Deco Byzantine or Early Modern. Its design was inspired by the 1906 Extension of The First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston. This is also known as The Mother Church.
The congregation of Sixth Church of Christ Scientist was mindful. They wanted the project to bless the whole community. They wanted to create economic opportunities for local artisans during the Great Depression. The architects were instructed to incorporate as much handiwork as possible. This mindful decision led to intricate labor-intensive brickwork on the exterior. Hand carving was also featured on the pews.
Construction of Sixth Church of Christ Scientist finished in 1932. The total cost was 350000 dollars.
The interior of Sixth Church of Christ Scientist was restored in 1996. The work included repainting and recarpeting. The artwork in the auditorium ceiling was also restored.
H. Whitehouse studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. He was there when the Extension was completed in 1906. Sixth Church incorporates Byzantine classical and modern elements. The auditorium is enclosed by an octagonal dome. It is surrounded by four barrel vaults arranged in a cruciform plan. This cruciform plan resembles a Greek cross.
The coffering of the auditorium vaults is special. It is reminiscent of the tepidarium of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The square and octagonal motifs are also interesting. They illustrate an eastern influence. The sloping floor and radial seating reflect a modern influence.
Whitehouse designed many other local landmarks. He also designed the Columbia Gorge Hotel. He designed Temple Beth Israel and the Waverly Golf Course Clubhouse. Whitehouse designed Portland’s Lincoln and Jefferson high schools as well. Not to mention, he designed the United States Federal Courthouse Building and the Oregon State Capitol Building.
The interior light fixtures were designed by Frederick Charles Baker. He was a well-known Oregon lighting designer. His career spanned 68 years. Baker was trained as a draftsman. He took classes from Ellis Lawrence. Lawrence was the Dean of the University of Oregon School of Architecture. Baker began his career in 1910. In 1913, he was hired by Henry Pittock. He designed the chandeliers and other lighting fixtures for the Pittock Mansion. Baker left behind over 9000 drawings of his lighting projects. Frederick Baker also designed lighting for other places. This includes Temple Beth Israel and Meier and Frank’s Georgian Room. He also designed the lighting for the Waverly Country Club. He designed the lighting for the Multnomah County Library and Timberline Lodge.
Sixth Church of Christ Scientist once used a unique air conditioning system. It used large blocks of ice. The air scrubber chamber was located below ground. It was filled with blocks of ice. Fan-forced air passed over the ice. This chilled the air. The chilled air was then circulated throughout the building. This system was very effective. Members wore jacket-style clothing while attending services. Over time the chamber began to leak. This system was abandoned. The air scrubber chamber still plays a part in the church’s cooling system today. The venting system is effective. It keeps the interior pleasant on hot summer days.
The organ at Sixth Church of Christ Scientist is impressive. It was built in 1931 by Austin Organs of Hartford Connecticut. It is a three-manual organ with 33 ranks of pipes. It has a total of 1990 pipes. The pipes range in size. They go from 18 feet to one-quarter inch. Thousands of board feet of pine and poplar were used. This was for the construction of the large pipes and wind chests. Metal pipes were made of alloys. These alloys include lead and tin as well as zinc brass and copper.
The organ underwent an extensive cleaning in 1998. Dust had accumulated over seventy years. All the reed pipes were shipped back to the Austin company for restoration. New tongues and tuning scrolls were added. The pipes were washed stripped and coated with protective shellac. One week was spent regulating the pipes. This returned the organ to its original timbre.
During church services and activities, the parking lot is available free of charge.
Sixth Church of Christ Scientist is more than bricks and mortar. It is a testament to community artistic vision and faith. Its story echoes through the halls. It reminds us of the power of collective effort and the enduring appeal of thoughtful design.