First Christian Church (Columbus, Indiana)

The First Christian Church (originally known as the Tabernacle Church of Christ) is a church building at 531 Fifth Street in Columbus, Indiana, United States. The building was designed by Eliel Saarinen, with some details overseen by his son Eero Saarinen and his associate Charles Eames. Built in 1942, it was the first modern-style building in Columbus and one of the first churches in the United States to be built in a contemporary architectural style. It houses the First Christian Church congregation, which is nondenominational and was founded in 1855 as the Christian Congregation in Columbus. The building has received praise for its design over the years and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The church is divided into four sections: an east wing, a west wing, a connecting bridge between the wings, and a freestanding 166-foot-tall (51 m) tower or campanile. The two wings flank a sunken courtyard, which originally had a reflecting pool. In general, the church's facade is made of brick, stone, and concrete, along with sash windows. The main entrance, in the east wing, leads up to a small vestibule and an asymmetrical 800-seat sanctuary with a balcony. Steps from the sanctuary lead to a chancel with a baptistery, choir, tapestry, and church organ. There is also a chapel south of the sanctuary, and an auditorium, reception room, kitchen, and pantry in the basement. Th

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