Overview

The Spokane architectural firm, Cutter and Malmgren, designed this fine example of the Mission Revival style for Spokane's 1st Church of Christ, Scientist, congregation by 1904. At the time, well-financed Christian Scientists commissioned large numbers of multiple new churches in cities across the US. The church operated in 1909 on the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Post Street. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1909, p. 80.)

Buidling History

A writer for The Western Architect, a publication headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, commented on the plethora of new churches being designed for Christian Scientists across the US in 1908. This magazine's writer stated dismissively: "If one was to ask the first three architects he meets what is most to be remarked about recent church building, quite likely two of them or all three would name the amounts of money expended in recent years by the Chistian Science people throout the North and West in church construction. This cult, with its phenomenal growth among well-to-do people, has had at its command much more more money for purposes of church building than have others numerically much stronger, both by reason of the class of people most reached by its teachings and, further, because the income of this religious body finds fewer uses outside of building that do the collections of other churches. In this respect it would seem to the average mind to be at one extreme of a series having at the opposite extreme that other remarkable 19th century religious movement, the Salvation Army. Considering now the architecture of this particular religious body, it is yet too early to expect anything characteristic, any expression of sufficient force to noticeably modify, not to say profoundly influence other styles. The cult may have had much to do with souvenirs, but it can hardly be said to have any well-established and known symbols. When, therefore, we find a Christian Science church building, we see a more or less interesting adaptation of some existing style, and we take pleasure in reproducing two view of the First Church of Spokane by Cutter and Malmgren, Architects, which will certainly be placed by our readers in the former class." (See "Special Specimens of Spokane Architecture," The Western Architect, vol. 12, no. 3. 09/1908, p. 38.)

Building Notes

Im 1910, Mabel C. Lucas served as the 1st Reader at Spokane's 1st Church of Christ Scientist. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1909, p. 80.)

Demolition

This church was razed. Construction of US Interstate Route 90 caused the demolition of the church likely in the mid-1950s.

PCAD id: 25267