Donn Reiner, has written many articles over the years for the Arizona Republic and others about Phoenix history and memorials. This month, Donna reviews some of the Phoenix Church History. Or, I should say, a limited review of some of the history of the architecture of churches in Phoenix.
American history courses have stressed that this country was founded on religious freedom. And indeed over the past 240 years since our founding, the United States has seen the ebb and flow of new religious groups as well as those previously established in other countries.
Newly formed congregations often started in homes and then rented small sites until they were able to purchase land and raise the necessary funds to build their permanent structure. It would be the home that would often serve their needs for many years with additions and alterations. Sometimes these congregations would outgrow their initial home and find a place to build a larger campus. In that case, the church buildings might be sold to a new congregation of even a different faith. Other congregations divided and formed new churches that would then seek a new home. And in a few exceptions, congregations disbanded and the church languished until it was demolished or found another use.
Whatever the case may be, the church building provided a sense of place in the community and often in the memory of the public still symbolized the original faith that built it.
Perhaps you have seen a sketch of the purportedly earliest church in Phoenix constructed from branches. As Phoenix became more established, more permanent construction materials were used such as adobe, wood, stone, brick, or concrete.
Within the area labelled downtown, you can find many church buildings which date from the early part of the 20th Century. The current sanctuary of St. Mary’s Basilica is perhaps the oldest with construction between 1903-1913. (The congregation is much older than that.)
The 1920s saw a surge of new church buildings. Historic First Presbyterian Church at Monroe and 4th Avenue, now home to City of Grace Church, was built in 1927. First Baptist Church, located at 3rd Ave and Monroe, in 1929. After being vacant for a number of years, current owners have undertaken massive restoration efforts which will allow for new uses of this classic building.
The Gothic style Grace Lutheran on 3rd St and Moreland dates from 1928.
Nearby is the First Congregational Church at 2nd St and Willetta (a much older building housed the congregation before the current 1942 structure was built). The first Jewish synagogue at 122 E. Culver, now home to the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, was built in 1921-22. Tanner Chapel A.M.E. at 8th Street and Jefferson was built in 1929. All except the First Congregational Church are listed on the City of Phoenix Historic Property Register.
Donna Reiner is the co-author of three books on Phoenix history.
