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 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.
The campaign now has totaled more than $1 million toward its goal.
One of the other speakers Wednesday was Tracy Souza, president and chief executive officer of The Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Her nonprofit agency is acting as the fiscal agent for the Friends of First Christian Church Architecture.
She used her brief remarks to remind the audience that the public must be generous for the latest grant to remain in place. And through the years, Souza always has been careful to be especially complimentary of the community’s generosity.
"I don’t know about you, but I really hate sending money back (to granters)," she said to knowing laughter in the crowd.
She also mentioned the tower’s charm and impact.
"It creates this wonderful space — our own little piazza — here in the middle of Columbus," Souza said.
Community leaders have regularly reminded Bartholomew County residents since 2017 that steps taken toward refurbishing the 79-year-old church and its surroundings are a matter of preserving a huge part of the city’s Modernist legacy, and not connected to church’s ministry or spiritual mission. The church building launched the city’s reputation as a home for some of the world’s top Modernist designers.
Jeff Logston, chairman of the First Christian Capital Projects Fundraising Committee, told the crowd the approach to the tower repairs, aimed to be done in 2022, is a long-range one highlighting fiscal responsibility.
"It’s the goal of this group involved now that any repairs or restoration done (currently) would be generational," Logston said, adding that that would mean the refurbishing would last about 75 years or more. "That’s so we don’t have to address these repairs again in our lifetime or our children’s lifetime."
An engineering study done in 2018 found significant deterioration in the structure, especially the top third segment, Logston said. That study highlighted that repairs ideally should be done within three to four years to keep the tower safe.
"The tower is twisting, shifting and pulling apart," Logston said. "… We’re confident that we can continue to partner with people just like you."
Mayor Jim Lienhoop mentioned that the tower not only immediately links its viewers to Columbus, Indiana, but it stirs within him deep memories of a boyhood three blocks away at his childhood home. He and his brother regularly rode bikes past the church and tower.
"This tower was one of those things that you just identify with home," Lienhoop said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How to support the cause” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
To support the Save Our Tower campaign, go to saveourtower.org or fccoc.org
[sc:pullout-text-end]
