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The First Baptist Church is one of six
The First Baptist Church was one of Columbus's early congregations. It occupied a previous site (which has not been preserved) before moving to Fairlawn Drive in 1965. The facility occupies a site at the base of a gently sloping hill which the group chose because the site allowed room for growth and parking. The parcel originally contained a row of walnut trees along its southern boundary, however other trees have been planted on the grounds.
The red brick building has five distinct sections (
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a National Register of Historic Places property types, building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the Federal government of the United States, United States government f ...
s in Columbus, Indiana
Columbus () is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 50,474 at the 2020 census. The city is known for its architectural significance, having commissioned noted works of modern architect ...
, United States. It was designed by distinguished architect Harry Weese
Harry Mohr Weese (June 30, 1915 – October 29, 1998) was an Americans, American architect who had an important role in 20th-century modernism and historic preservation. His brother, Ben Weese, was also a renowned architect.
Early life and educat ...
; construction was completed in 1965. and Since completion, few alterations have been made and the building has retained its integrity. It was one of the first church designs to integrate Modern movement architecture
Modern architecture, also called modernist architecture, or the modern movement, is an architectural movement and style that was prominent in the 20th century, between the earlier Art Deco and later postmodern movements. Modern architecture w ...
and a non-traditional church plan.
Location
The First Baptist Church of Columbus is located at 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus, Indiana. It occupies one-third of an open area in a suburban neighborhood of single-family homes developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Richards Elementary School (designed byEdward Larrabee Barnes
Edward Larrabee Barnes (April 22, 1915 – September 22, 2004) was an American architect. His work was characterized by the "fusing fModernism with vernacular architecture and understated design." Barnes was best known for his adherence to st ...
and built in 1965) and Par 3 Golf Course and Clubhouse (designed by Bruce Adams and built in 1972) comprise the other two-thirds of the "town square". These structures are easily visible as they create the skyline of this residential subdivision.
Description
The First Baptist Church was one of Columbus's early congregations. It occupied a previous site (which has not been preserved) before moving to Fairlawn Drive in 1965. The facility occupies a site at the base of a gently sloping hill which the group chose because the site allowed room for growth and parking. The parcel originally contained a row of walnut trees along its southern boundary, however other trees have been planted on the grounds.
The red brick building has five distinct sections (narthex
The narthex is an architectural element typical of Early Christian art and architecture, early Christian and Byzantine architecture, Byzantine basilicas and Church architecture, churches consisting of the entrance or Vestibule (architecture), ve ...
, sanctuary
A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred space, sacred place, such as a shrine, protected by ecclesiastical immunity. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This seconda ...
, office wing, fellowship hall, and chapel
A chapel (from , a diminutive of ''cappa'', meaning "little cape") is a Christianity, Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. First, smaller spaces inside a church that have their o ...
) built around a central courtyard
A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky.
Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary a ...
. The windows are tall and narrow.
The sanctuary is the principal interior space of the building. It is a windowless room, made up of simple elements that combine to create a space that is at the same time dramatic and serene. Each element is a simple object—a brick wall, a beam, an opening, a skylight—but all exaggerated slightly in size, proportion, or height.
See also
*List of National Historic Landmarks in Indiana
National Historic Landmarks in Indiana represent History of Indiana, Indiana's history from the Native American era to its early European settlers and motor racing. There are 44 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) in the state, which are located i ...
*National Register of Historic Places listings in Bartholomew County, Indiana
__NOTOC__
This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bartholomew County, Indiana.
This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Bartholomew Cou ...
References
External links
{{National Register of Historic Places in Indiana Churches completed in 1965 20th-century Baptist churches in the United States Baptist churches in Indiana Buildings and structures in Columbus, Indiana National Historic Landmarks in Indiana Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana Churches in Bartholomew County, Indiana Modernist architecture in Indiana National Historic Landmarks in Columbus, Indiana Tourist attractions in Bartholomew County, Indiana National Register of Historic Places in Bartholomew County, Indiana Harry Weese buildings 1965 establishments in Indiana