First Christian Church lesson

Gazette Editorial Board

---

For more than a year, the possible demolition of First Christian Church to make way for parking space has been on the table. No individual or organization has stepped up to save the massive, historic building at 840 Third Ave. SE.

Instead, it appears destined to be demolished after March 12, the date when the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission's 60-day hold on the demolition permit expires. In its place will be parking for the new Physicians' Clinic of Iowa medical pavilion, an important, groundbreaking project in the city's new medical district.

First Christian Church stands within the city's Grant Wood Cultural District. It likely will become the third structure eligible for the National Historic Register to be demolished for the PCI project. Those designations afford no protection from a wrecking ball.

We should recognize that this church has played a significant role in our community's history. It's also sad that demolition comes not long after an expert on the work of Louis Sullivan confirmed that the famed designer was a consulting architect for the church, dedicated in 1913. A local architect has called the church's stained-glass windows “phenomenal.”

Those windows, the church's entrance columns and skylight will be preserved for some future local use, according to officials at St. Luke's Hospital, which bought the property in late 2010.

Leading up to all of this were talks with Mission of Hope about moving First Christian Church, but that wasn't viable for the agency. No other interested parties came forward with alternative uses, St. Luke's told us.

The City Council did grant a variance for city parking standards and is considering a further reduction for medical buildings, possibly easing the pavilion project's need for the church property. PCI says parking would be too tight without it. Council member Monica Vernon says the city doesn't have money to buy historic private properties anyway.

So it appears no one is about to save this church. If so, we hope the loss at least raises awareness of how difficult it can be to save important structures that define our history. And if something is a high priority, then more supporters must step up and make a strong case for it well ahead of the demolition date.

n Comments: thegazette.com/

category/opinion/editorial or

editorial@sourcemedia.net