First Baptist Church, Columbus, Indiana

First Baptist Church is one of six national historic landmark

National Historic Landmark

A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance. All NHLs are listed in the National Register of Historic Places...

s in Columbus, Indiana

Columbus, Indiana

Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 39,059 at the 2000 census. The current mayor is Fred Armstrong. It is located approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River. It is the state's 20th...

. It was designed by distinguished architect Harry Weese

Harry Weese

Harry Mohr Weese was an American architect, who was born in Evanston, Illinois in the Chicago suburbs who had an important role in 20th century modernism and historic preservation...

; construction was completed in 1965. Since completion, few alterations have been made and the building has retained its integrity.

Location

The First Baptist Church of Columbus is located at 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus, Indiana. It comprises one third of an open area in a suburban neighborhood of single family homes that was developed in the 1960s and 70s. Richards Elementary School (designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes

Edward Larrabee Barnes

Edward Larrabee Barnes was a prolific American architect.Barnes was a Harvard graduate and over the years taught variously at Harvard, the Pratt Institute, and the University of Virginia...

 and built in 1965) and Par 3 Golf Course and Clubhouse (designed by Bruce Adams and built in 1972) make up the other two thirds of the "town square". These structures are easily visible as they create the skyline of this residential subdivision.

Description

The First Baptist Church was one of Columbus's early congregations. They had a previous site (which has not been preserved) before moving to Fairlawn Drive in 1965. The mostly flat site was chosen to allow room for growth and parking. There is a small hill, and the two story building is at its foot. The church lot was originally adorned only with a fence row of walnut trees, although later many other trees have planted.

The red brick building has 5 distinct sections (narthex

Narthex

The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper. It was either an indoor area separated from the nave...

, sanctuary, office wing, fellowship hall, and chapel

Chapel

A chapel is a building used as a place for fellowship and of worship for Christians. It may be attached to an institution such as a large church, a college, a hospital, a palace, a prison or a cemetery, or may be an entirely free-standing building, sometimes with its own grounds...

) built around a central courtyard

Courtyard

For alternative meanings of the word "court", see: Court .A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky...

. The windows are tall and narrow.

The sanctuary is the principal interior space of the building. It is a windowless room, made up of simple elements that combine to create a space that is at the same time dramatic and serene. Each element is a simple object – a brick wall, a beam, an opening, a skylight, but they are all exaggerated slightly in size, proportion, or height.