Article July 20, 1929 Issue

Among the Churches

Current Notes

Cleveland News

Cleveland, Ohio (First Church).—The new First Church of Christ, Scientist, designed to be built on a sightly location overlooking Overlook Road, with its lofty tower will command from the brink of the Heights hill a broad sweep of the city and form a conspicuous monument as seen from the Circle and University districts. In exterior form and style as well as in plan, the building will constitute an architectural expression of the requirements of the Christian Science service. The drawings call for a circular auditorium. This form affords an arrangement of seating about the platform which assures the desired intimate contact between speakers and congregation. Individuals in the congregation speaking from their seats can also readily be heard and seen. The acoustical properties of the room have been carefully studied and in large measure have determined the forms and materials employed.

The principal source of artificial light is concealed in the law decorated dome. Windows furnish an abundance of natural light. At the balcony level, an Ionic colonnade completely circles the auditorium, which is planned to seat eleven hundred and fifty persons. Around the auditorium on the first floor is a continuous foyer, giving easy access into the room. The Sunday school is below the main auditorium. It is semioctagonal in plan, three sides being occupied by classrooms. A balcony provides additional classroom space. All classrooms are lighted by exterior windows. This has been made possible by the topography of the property. The Sunday school is so placed that though being below the Overlook Road level, its windows look out over the northern hillside.

The exterior of the building is octagonal, with a tower rising from the office wing. It is designed to be executed in stone in an Anglicized classic style. The main entrance is through a Corinthian portico looking upon Overlook Road. Entrances are provided upon other sides of the octagon, including one for the especial convenience of those using the parking space.—Cleveland News.

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