(Checkerboard Church)
1126 SW Park Ave.
Introduction
The First Congregational Church is sometimes referred to as the Checkerboard Church because of its exterior design. It is an important place of worship that has a rich history and a strong community. Established in the mid-19th century, it has played a significant role in the spiritual life of Portland and has contributed to local efforts in social justice and community service.
History
The church was founded in 1851, making it one of the oldest churches in the city. Its founders were a group of people who wanted to create a supportive and welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their background. The first church was built close to the river on stilts to prevent it from flooding.
Twenty years later in 1871, the congregation built a bigger church on the same spot but it burned down in the Great Fire of 1873. The Great Fire destroyed 22 blocks of downtown Portland. About 100 retail stores, 250 homes, and several important public buildings were burned, including the church.
In 1891 (the date on the cornerstone), construction began on a new structure in the classical architectural style, which still stands and is used today. It’s far from the river so it won’t flood, and it’s built from basalt and sandstone so it won’t burn. This building is not only a place for worship but also a historical landmark in Portland. Originally there were four towers on the church but only the bell tower remains. The other three steeples were structurally damaged by age, pigeon droppings, and mildew. They were removed in 1951. The bird droppings measured 16 inches deep in those towers and filled 75 disposal sacks.
Interior Description
Upon entering the First Congregational Church, visitors are often awed by the beauty and warmth of the interior. The sanctuary features high, vaulted ceilings supported by impressive wooden beams, giving a sense of openness and grandeur. Some of the doors are covered in leather with brass rivets. The stained glass windows, created by the renowned Povey Brothers, fill the space with colorful light. These windows depict various biblical scenes and significant figures, adding a spiritual narrative to the artistic ambiance. The Povey Brothers’ logo was a white lily which you can see on several windows. The windows shaped like kites can be opened. This was necessary to cool the church in the days before air conditioning. Look for the Povey Brothers’ signature on the lower right hand side of the south facing window.
Some wooden pews were dedicated to community members who donated money to the church. For example, Frank Beach, who gave Portland its first rose bushes, has his own pew with his name on it (4th row on the right when facing the stage). The border on the wooden pews contains a very significant architectural design called egg and dart. The egg signifies the beginning of life and the dart signifies death. You can see this design on many Portland buildings, including inside City Hall.
Exterior Description
When the rest of the block was developed, congregants thought it was important to construct buildings that were complementary to the historic church design with its checkerboard pattern, construction material, and dimensions. The checkerboard design is repeated on the sidewalk in front of the Portland’5 Center for the Performing Arts. Notice that the faces of the people in the stained glass windows have no facial features.
The Bell
The bell, which is from the original church, weighs 2500 pounds. It’s so heavy that when the rope is pulled to ring the bell, it lifts the person ringing the bell off their feet. The church rang the bell 200 times in 1976 to commemorate the 200th birthday of our country.
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Discussion Questions:
Why do you think it’s called the checkerboard church?
What other famous logos can you think of?
Vocabulary
Povey Brothers
Egg and dart
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events, and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Multicultural Studies, Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.12. Compare and contrast the history of the local community to other communities in the region. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.13. Apply research skills and technologies to gather information about the past in a region. Historical Thinking
Social Studies 3.14. Explain why individuals and groups in the same historical period differed in how they viewed and interpreted events. Historical Perspective