COLUMBUS, Ind. — Pastor Steve Yeaton acknowledged right at the top of his remarks Wednesday in front of about 100 people at Columbus’ First Christian Church downtown that some might consider one of the city’s latest projects a rather tall order — rallying unity for a $2.4 million campaign to refurbish the cracking, iconic church’s 166-foot brick tower.
Celebrated architect Eliel Saarinen designed the brick edifice to partner with a Modernist church unlike any other in the nation at the time of its completion in 1942, according to designers.
“I believe that we are doing something that is truly counter-cultural,” Yeaton said, referencing elements of division throughout the country. ” … And what is that (something)? That a community as diverse as ours politically, ethnically, spiritually, and generationally can come together to support a common cause (as this).
“You don’t have to be a conservative or a liberal, a believer or a non-believer, a native of Columbus or some other part of the world to be inspired to enjoy the beauty, and the majesty of this tower and what it represents as an anchor for what Columbus is best-known for — bold, innovative architecture.”
Yeaton, a Columbus native, was among four speakers to kick off the public portion of the Save Our Tower campaign expected to stretch for several months. He also reminded those at the gathering that the tower need not be practical or “useful” in a traditional sense to matter in a big way.
The Friends of First Christian Church Architecture group is spearheading the drive that just celebrated a $500,000 dollar-for-every-two-dollars-donated matching grant from the Wisconsin-based Jeffriss Family Foundation.
For the complete story, see Friday’s Republic.
