First Christian Church’s 165-foot tower is the subject of a community effort to raise funds to restore and preserve the historic and architectural landmark.
Republic file photo
This past year we have explored several unique and beautiful forms of individual philanthropy. Today’s subject is a broad community-based philanthropic partnership. It’s the story of the First Christian Church Tower.
This 165-foot freestanding tower, built in 1942, is in need of significant repair. A responsible long-term repair of the tower comes with a price tag of $3.2 million. That is a staggering cost for a church to take on in addition to supporting its religious mission.
However, the tower has proudly stood over the Columbus skyline for decades and is arguably the most-used image of our community in photos, drawings and other representations. It is also an integral part of the First Christian Church campus and important to the congregation.
So, it is fitting that Heritage Fund and Landmark Columbus Foundation came alongside First Christian Church and offered to help find money to restore the tower — the community and the church assuming the shared stewardship of this significant structure that defines First Christian Church and Columbus, Indiana.
To date, $2 million has been raised from “non-usual suspects”: The National Park Service, Jeffris Family Foundation, The National Fund for Sacred Places, and a delightful couple who prefer to remain anonymous. The congregation at First Christian Church has given generously and many community members have made gifts to the Friends of First Christian Church Architecture Fund at Heritage Fund.
Today we are $350,000 short of the $3.2 million goal. The support that has been offered reinforces the importance of this piece of architecture. A cross-organizational group of fundraisers has faith that our community will step up and be good stewards of such an iconic part of what was the first church to be designed in the modern tradition in the US.
More detailed information about the project can be found at saveourtower.org.
Tracy Souza is president and CEO of Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Contact the fund at 812-376-7772 to learn more about how they can help you do “Your Philanthropy. Your Way.” Send comments to [email protected].
