The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About001109_Template-ChurchofChristScientist_921NSycamore.pdfPage 1 of 4 H: Planning: hrc00-04church 11.09.00 NAME Church of Christ Scientist REF. NO. ADDRESS 921 North Sycamore Street CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92701 ORANGE COUNTY YEAR BUILT 1923 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: HISTORIC DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS CODE Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted USGS 7.5” Quad Date: T R ¼ of ¼ of Sec : B.M. Prehistoric Historic Both ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Gothic Page 2 of 4 H: Planning: hrc00-04church 11.09.00 DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND RELATED TO PERIOD ARCHITECTURE: The building is stucco sheathed, measuring approximately two and a half stories and organized around a central octagon. A tiled eight-sided roof is set back of the parapet wall. The principle windows are framed in cast stone, as is the principal gable ends and the entrance porch. The plan of the building is centered on the large two-story sanctuary rimmed with Gothic-style stained glass windows. The colors of the glass change as the sun hits it at various times of the day. Gothic arches, an architectural form developed in the 11th century, are used extensively throughout the building. Architecturally, the detailing of the building is that of the late English Gothic, with its centralized octagonal plan mildly Byzantine. The structure is an unusual example of a central plan church detailed in Gothic. CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations) Reroof church September 28, 1931 Reroof church January 20, 1941 Reroof church May 5, 1943 Reroof church September 30, 1944 Reroof church September 10, 1946 Reroof church July 24, 1952 Alteration and repair September 19, 1952 Alteration June 23, 1954 Interior alteration August 25, 1959 Repair brick and cement work February 23, 1982 Seismic rehabilitation July 13, 1984 Reroof May 17, 1991 Reroof December 3, 1993 RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape) A large front lawn area. DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and boundaries.) The structure has changed little since it was built and is beautifully maintained in the midst of a large manicured lawn. Centered around the large two-story sanctuary, the structure contains an expansive entrance hall, Sunday school rooms, and offices surround the sanctuary. Gothic arches, an architectural form developed in the 11th Century is used extensively throughout the building. Gothic architecture has long been a favorite style for churches, and one of the finest examples is the Cathedral at Notre Dame. Page 3 of 4 H: Planning: hrc00-04church 11.09.00 HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS: The structure was originally constructed in 1923 for the Church of Christ Scientist. The Church of Christ Scientist was organized in Santa Ana in 1899 as a branch of the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ Scientist of Boston, Massachusetts. This church was incorporated June 18, 1904. The church met in the Knights of Pythias Hall in the Old Spurgeon Building until they were incorporated in 1904. After moving to a temporary location on 6th Street, the congregation purchased the old Presbyterian Church, moving into that facility on June 20, 1908. In 1916, the lot for this church was purchased. Meanwhile, the church sold its Sixth Street property and moved into temporary quarters at 8th and Bush Streets. This church was started in 1922 and completed in 1923, at a cost of over $100,000, which was quite a sum in the early 1920’s. RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation.) HP16 Religious building RESOURCES PRESENT: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other MOVED? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, geographic scope, and integrity.) The building represents one of the only buildings along the Main Street corridor with significantly unaltered architectural design and grounds. The building is located in the Midtown District, comprised with a mixture of historic and contemporary designs. Preservation is vital in retaining historic structures within the district. The maintenance and retention of the historic buildings in the Midtown District makes them unique city assets. The character created by the historic buildings provides a link between the historically designated Downtown and the Midtown District. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: The First Church of Christ Scientist structure is significant for its architecture and presence on Main Street. As a visual and architectural landmark along Main Street, the structure has maintained its original ornate architectural design. The Gothic architecture and expansive lawn creates a visually impressive perspective of this unique structure. The two and a half story structure organized around a central octagon, the eight-sided roof and expansive windows creates an architectural gem amongst a mix of 1970’s buildings. Historically, the travels and connections of the church from Boston, Massachusetts to Santa Ana’s early downtown development and eventually to its present location makes it significant in the development of the city. Page 4 of 4 H: Planning: hrc00-04church 11.09.00 OWNER AND ADDRESS: California Property Investments, Incorporated 1200 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address) Sergio Klotz City of Santa Ana, Downtown Development Division 20 Civic Center Plaza M-86, Santa Ana, CA 92702 DATE RECORDED: November 9, 2000 SURVEY TYPE: (Intensive, reconnaissance, or other) Reconnaissance REPORT CITATION: (Cite survey report and other sources) Historical Property Survey, Santa Ana Transportation Terminal REFERENCES: (List documents, date of publication, and page numbers. May also include oral interviews.) Pioneer Churches of the Santa Ana District, 1929, Page 54 Santa Ana Historical Home and Building Tour, 1988 EVALUATOR: DATE OF EVALUATION: EXPLANATION OF CODES: • National Register Criteria for Evaluation: (From Appendix 7 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation) • National Register Status Code: (From Appendix 2 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation)