First Baptist Church (Bakersfield, California)
Encyclopedia
The First Baptist Church, also known as the Bell Towers, is a historic church complex presently used as an office building in Bakersfield, California
. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) on January 2, 1979.
, with the outside finish, simulating brick, created by a poured cast. Red, Spanish tile shingles cover the roof. A prominent, 70 foot (21 meter) bell tower
stands in the center of the south facade, forming part of what was the vestibule
and narthex
of the church. The south side of the church also features large white oak
doors with decorative arches above them. Blind arches and mullion
s rise to the roof level, giving the structure its Romaneque
character. A single story arcade
joins the wings of the building and surrounds a landscaped courtyard.
The southwest side of the complex is the original fellowship hall
, built in a Mission Revival style. The structure is characterized by lofty arched windows on its west side; on its south side is a large arched window, originally a door, flanked by smaller arched windows. The old fellowship hall and church are connected by a two-story connecting building that continues the overall Mission Revival appearance.
structure in the San Joaquin Valley
and is a prominent landmark in Bakersfield. It is the only religious structure of its era to survive the 1952 Kern County earthquake
that destroyed many of downtown Bakerfield's historic structures. It is also one of the few buildings in the area to remain relatively unaltered over the ensuing years.
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP) on January 2, 1979.
Structure
Constructed in 1931, the structure was built of reinforced concreteReinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
, with the outside finish, simulating brick, created by a poured cast. Red, Spanish tile shingles cover the roof. A prominent, 70 foot (21 meter) bell tower
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
stands in the center of the south facade, forming part of what was the vestibule
Vestibule (architecture)
A vestibule is a lobby, entrance hall, or passage between the entrance and the interior of a building.The same term can apply to structures in modern or ancient roman architecture. In modern architecture vestibule typically refers to a small room or hall between an entrance and the interior of...
and 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...
of the church. The south side of the church also features large white oak
White oak
Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of eastern North America. It is a long-lived oak of the Fagaceae family, native to eastern North America and found from southern Quebec west to eastern Minnesota and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been...
doors with decorative arches above them. Blind arches and mullion
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
s rise to the roof level, giving the structure its Romaneque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
character. A single story arcade
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
joins the wings of the building and surrounds a landscaped courtyard.
The southwest side of the complex is the original fellowship hall
Fellowship hall
A fellowship hall is a large room in a church building where certain activities in the church building are done, such as certain dinners, breakfasts, meetings, workshops, etc...
, built in a Mission Revival style. The structure is characterized by lofty arched windows on its west side; on its south side is a large arched window, originally a door, flanked by smaller arched windows. The old fellowship hall and church are connected by a two-story connecting building that continues the overall Mission Revival appearance.
Significance
Located on a prominent spot in downtown Bakersfield, the First Baptist Church structure is considered one of the finest examples of a decorative concreteDecorative concrete
Decorative concrete is the use of concrete as not simply a utilitarian medium for construction but as an aesthetic enhancement to a structure, while still serving its function as an integral part of the building itself such as floors, walls, driveways and patios.The transformation of concrete into...
structure in the San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
and is a prominent landmark in Bakersfield. It is the only religious structure of its era to survive the 1952 Kern County earthquake
1952 Kern County earthquake
The 1952 Kern County earthquake occurred on July 21, 1952, in Kern County, California, with a magnitude of 7.5Mw. It was the largest earthquake to strike Southern California since the Fort Tejon earthquake of 1857 and the 1872 Lone Pine earthquake, causing immense and widespread damage. The main...
that destroyed many of downtown Bakerfield's historic structures. It is also one of the few buildings in the area to remain relatively unaltered over the ensuing years.