A DOCUMENTATION AND RESTORATION PLAN FOR
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN ADVENT CHURCH
IN JOHN DAY, OREGON
by
TIMOTHY FRANCIS NETSCH
•
A THESIS
Presented to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program:
Historic Preservation
and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the deg~e of
Master of Science
December 1991
ii
APPROVED:
•
iii
An Abstract of the Thesis of
Timothy Francis Netsch for the degree of Master of Science
in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program: Historic
Preservation
to be taken December 1991
Title: A DOCUMENTATION AND RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE FIRST
DAY, OREGON
Approved:
The First Christian Advent Church is a late Carpenters
Gothic building constructed in John Day, Oregon in 1900.
The building was designed and possibly built by Samuel
Bayliss Hope, about whom little is known. The church is most
remarkable for the profusion of ornament on its exterior and
interior. The moldings are a very late manifestation of
• hand-planed decoration.
This study documents the building, and also makes
extensive recommendations for its restoration. The church
is in moderately good condition both physically and
historically, though there_ are numerous problems which will
require intervention. Recommendations are intended to
return the building to its 1900 appearance. The guidelines
iv
are technical in nature, and include the re-milling of
moldings, reinforcement of the roof structure, foundation
wall repair, and refinishing of interior surfaces •
•
V
VITA
NAME OF AUTHOR: Timothy Francis Netsch
PLACE OF BIRTH: Nashville, Tennessee
DATE OF BIRTH: 16 January 1967
GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
University of Oregon
Pepperdine University
Harding University
Abilene Christian University
DEGREES AWARDED:
Master of Science, 1991, University of Oregon
Bachelor of Arts, 1988, Pepperdine University
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST:
Architectural Conservation
Historic Building Technology
Architectural History
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Historic Resources Surveyor, Kenneth Guzowski,
Consultant, Cottage Grove, Oregon, 1991
Historic House Painter and Wall Surface Restoration,
Eugene, Oregon, 1990, 1991
Restoration Carpenter, Historic Building Repair, Salem,
Oregon, 1990
• Archives Assistant, Getty Center for the History of Art
and the Humanities, Santa Monica, California, 1987-
1988
AWARDS AND HONORS:
First Place, 1990 National Council for Preservation
Education student Papers Competition
PUBLICATIONS:
Netsch, Timothy. "Responding to Tourism in Charleston."
Historic Preservation Forum (March/April 1991): 40-
41.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to thank my committee for their guidance in the
realization of this project: thanks to Don Peting for his
belief in me, and to Gregg Olson for his technical
expertise; many thanks to Philip Dole, for his council and
knowledge.
Christine Taylor, Mark Thompson, Andy Curtis, Dena
Sanford, Sylvia Elliot, and Donna Hartmans all deserve
thanks for their assistance in measuring the church, and for
moral support. Thanks, too, to all those who provided
driveway space for the Thesis-Mobile during the final weeks
of the project.
Much credit goes to Louise Lyon, of the Historic
Preservation Foundation of John Day, for providing me with
so many pieces of historical information, and for her
tireless enthusiasm.
Finally, I would like to express appreciation to my
•· family, especially my parents, for their abiding support and encouragement.
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Goals ............. . 2
Problems to Resolve 2
II. COMMENTARY ON THE BUILDING 4
Notes 9
III. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION 10
The Site 11
The Building 12
Conclusion 34
Notes ..... . 36
VI. CONDITION REPORT 38
Construction Problems 39
The Elements 41
Alterations 43
Deferred Maintenance ..•.•. 46
Other Deterioration Issues 46
Conclusion 47
Notes 49
V. RESTORATION PLAN 50
Historic Preservation Principles 50
Restoration Recommendations 53
Phases of Restoration Work 80
Conclusion 82
• Notes •.... 84
VI. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS 87
Maintenance ••... 87
Site Restoration 89
Management ..... . 90
Further Research 92
Conclusion 92
FIGURES 94
BIBLIOGRAPHY 157
viii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1. The Trowbridge House. John Day, Oregon 95
2. The First Christian Advent Church,
John Day, Oregon. 28 January 1900 96
3. Detail: The First Christian Advent Church,
John Day, Oregon. 28 January 1900 ••..••••••.• 97
4. Advent Christian Church.
Maryhill, Washington . • • • • • • • • • . • . . . • . . . . . . . . . 98
5. Vergeboards Design by A. J. Downing ••.........• 99
6. Vergeboards Design by Samuel Sloan 100
7. First Christian Advent Church.
John Day, Oregon. Looking Northeast 101
8. Site Plan and Floor Plan Drawings ............. . 102
9. House on the Church Site 103
10. Garage Building on the Church Site 103
11. Foundation Wall. Entrance Tower
East Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
12. Foundation wall. North End of
East Elevation 104
13 . Cross-section Drawing ............. •..•.....•... 105
• 14. Transverse-section Drawing ...•........•.....•.. 106
15. Water Table and Corner boards.
Northwest Corner ............................. 107
16. Frieze and Eaves. Apse North Elevation •••..•... 108
17. Window. West Elevation 109
18. Window Apron, Console, and Casing.
West Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
19. South Elevation Drawing ••••.••...••.••••••••... 111
ix
2 o. South Elevation • • . • . • • . . . . . • . . • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
21. Frieze Moldings. South Elevation ...•.....•..••. 113
22. Plinths of Entrance Door Pilasters.
South Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
23. Capitals of Entrance Door Pilasters.
South Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
24. Entrance Hood Bracket. South Elevation 115
25. Intermediate Bellcast Roof of
Entrance Tower. East Elevation 116
26. Belfry. East Elevation 117
27. Spire, Looking Northwest ...................... . 118
28. West Elevation Drawing ........................ . 119
29. West Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
30. Window • . Entrance Tower West Elevation •..•...•.. 121
31. North Elevation Drawing ....................... . 122
32. North Elevation 123
33. Interior North Elevation.
Mary Groves, Pastor. 1912 124
34. East Elevation Drawing ••••••....••....•.••..... 125
35. Window. East Interior Elevation,
Entrance Vestibule ...••••.•.••..•.•.••.....•. 126
36. Original Wall and Ceiling Paper ...••..•..•.•... 127
37. Original Border Paper •..•...••••••.....•....... 128
38. Wainscot. East Interior Elevation ......•....... 129
39. Window Casing. East Interior Elevation .•....... 129
40. South Interior Elevation 130
41. Entrance Arch Casing.
South Interior Elevation 131
42. North Interior Elevation 132
X
43. Proscenium Casing. North Interior Elevation .... 133
44. Proscenium Cap. North Interior Elevation •..••.. 134
45. Ceiling Molding 134
46. Apse. North Interior Elevation ••••.•.•..•...... 135
4 7. Baseboard Molding • • • • . . • • • • . . • . • • . . . . • • • . • . • . . . 13 6
48. Detail Drawing: Apron Panel Molding
in Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 7
49. Window Casing (North Side). Entrance Tower
West Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
50. Window Casing (South Side). Entrance Tower
West Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
51. Window Apron. East Elevation 140
52. Window Apron. West Elevation 141
53. Detail Drawing: Typical Interior Window
• Casing in Section • • • • . • • • . • • . • . • • . • • . • • . • . . . . 142 54. Split Window Sill. West Elevation ••.....•.....• 143
55. Sill at Apse (North End of Building) 143
56. First Christian Advent Church.
John Day, Oregon. 1933 .•..•.•.••..•••.•••••.. 144
57. Paint Sample: Body Color 145
58. Paint Samples: Belfry Colors ••.•...........•..• 145
• 59. First Christian Advent Church, John Day, Oregon. 29 January 1900 ....••...... 146
60. Paint Sample: Painted Interior
Elements Color • • • • • . • • • . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . • . . . . . 14 7
61. Joint to be used at Sill Patch ...•.•....•.•.... 147
62. Sketch of Roof Structure
Reinforcement Scheme ••.•••.•..•••••.•.•..•..• 148
63. Flow Chart: Phase One 149
64. Flow Chart: Phase Two 150
xi
65. Flow Chart: Phase Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
66. Flow Chart: Phase Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
67. Flow Chart: Phase Five . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
68. Flow Chart: Phase Six . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
69. Flow Chart: Phase Seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
70. Flow Chart: Phase Eight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
•
•
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The geographic isolation and small population of Grant
• County in Eastern Oregon have, in combination, created
unique historic and architectural resources. This study
attempts to address one such resource in the town of John
Day. The First Christian Advent Church, which was completed
in 1900, has been a significant symbol of John Day's
cultural identity for generations. The John Day Historic
Preservation Foundation presently owns the building, and is
intent on its security. The goals of this study are, first,
to provide architectural documentation of the church, and
second, to develop a restoration plan.
As do most of its peers, the not-for-profit Foundation
functions on a minimal budget. This, coupled with John
Day's geographic isolation, makes access to consultation
services, research facilities, and other resources
2
particularly difficult. In selecting a thesis topic, my aim
was to produce a document that could be utilized, rather
than be merely an exercise in research. Thus, I am
providing the Foundation with information that it can use,
and in return, the Foundation has given me unlimited access
to the building, and the chance to learn from it.
Goals
Toward the larger objective of documentation and
restoration, a number of goals have been devised. The first
goal has been extensive measurement of the building to
• result in measured drawings. The drawings, along with architectural and site descriptions and analysis {goal 2),
make up the building documentation. Examination and
evaluation of the church's physical and historical condition
is one of the initial goals of restoration planning.
Subsequently, an exploration of appropriate means by which
to resolve deterioration can occur, resulting in a
comprehensive restoration plan.
Problems to Resolve
The problems to resolve include
1. The development of a plan for efficient measurement
of the building, of its various elements, and of its
3
individual structural and decorative members.
2. Creation of drawings based on the measurements
which accurately document the church.
3. Development of architectural and site descriptions
which analyze the church's significance, and place the
building in its geographical and historical context.
4. Identification of all circumstances contributing to
the building's physical and historical deterioration, and
the specific results of such problems.
5. Discussion of general preservation principles and
approaches to restoration.
6. Establishment of specific responses to the
• building's conditions in the form of comprehensive restoration recommendations.
7. Resolution of issues such as heating, insulation,
and other non-original elements.
8. Historical and architectural analysis of the
church's hand-planed ornament, and development of a
methodology for dealing with its restoration.
9. Compilation of a list of sources for technical
information, building materials, and management advice.
10. Limited discussion of maintenance, site
restoration, and management issues.
The following chapters reveal the architectural
character of the church, and the means by which to conserve
its significance.
4
CHAPTER II
I
COMMENTARY ON THE BUILDING
This thesis is technical in nature. Documentation and
restoration planning cannot occur, however, without
I
historical research. Much information was collected to
write the National Register of Historic Places nomination
for the First Christian Advent Church. 1
Most other historical information, for our purposes, is
the result of examination--examination of historic
photographs, examination of other buildings in John Day
constructed by the church's carpenter, and extensive
examination of the church itself. Historical issues
important in understanding the documentation and proposed
restoration plans of the thesis are discussed briefly in
this chapter.
Samuel Bayliss Hope is identified as the First
Christian Advent Church's builder. 2 Hope was an
5
accomplished carpenter3 who had worked in the John Day area
for a number of years. Two other buildings for which Hope
is known to be responsible are the Danby House and the
Trowbridge House (Figure 2). Both of these families were
prominent in the local Adventist denomination. In addition,
both houses exhibit elaborate interior and exterior ornament
which is very similar in character and design to that of the
church. The interior of the Trowbridge House exhibits
spectacularly designed and constructed woodwork with oak and
maple graining.
The church was dedicated on January 28, 1900, although
photographs of the event reveal missing corner boards and
unfinished eaves (Figures 2 and 3). The actual extent of
Hope's role in the church project is unknown. Hope would
have been about 70 years old by the time the church was
completed. 4 The quality of the church's construction,
particularly of the interior wainscot and other ornament, is
of lower quality than that of the houses mentioned above.
All of these clues suggest that Hope may not have been the
church's sole builder.
Most evidence points toward a group project, involving
many members of the congregation with varying degrees of
skill and expertise. The roof structure, for example, shows
a lack of understanding of load-bearing issues and of truss
design. The spire, which involves more complex structural
issues, does not exhibit such problems. A second example is
6
baseboards, which in the entrance vestibule are constructed
of shiplap siding, yet in the auditorium and apse have
complex profiles in section. Hope probably designed the
building, and perhaps milled the ornament and supervised the
project. Church members likely did most of the construction
over a period of years.
• Hope's source for the church design is also not clear .
Authorities at Aurora University5 in Illinois, and at the
northwest Adventist Branch Office6 in Lewiston, Idaho, know
of no particular plan or architectural expression which the
denomination's leaders advocated for local congregations.
The John Day Church probably is derived, to some extent,
• from the Adventist church in Colombus (now Maryhill), Washington (Figure 4). Several early leaders of the John
Day congregation had come from Colombus or its environs. 7
Although less elaborate than the church in John Day, the
Colombus church, which was built in 1888, bears a clear
resemblance.
Drawing an absolute conclusion about the building's
source could be misleading, however. The basic plan and
composition of the church--a rectangular structure with a
square tower set on the front longitudinal axis--is a common
formula. Samuel Sloan, a contemporary pattern book author,
called it "the general outline and plan usual in this
country as ~eing best adapted to our present form of
worship."8 Indeed, most existing historic resource surveys
7
at the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office reveal the
form to be perhaps the most typical style for churches in
general.
Hope surely had access to builder's guides or pattern
books. Aspects of the church's details exhibit an awareness
of the stylistic approaches advocated in contemporary
• literature. For example, both Alexander Jackson Downing's
The Architecture of Country Houses, 9 and Samuel Sloan's The
Model Architect, 10 illustrate vergeboards of the type which
must have evolved into Hope's design (Figures 5 and 6).
The ornament of the church is, however, truly unique.
The scale, composition, and sheer abundance of decorations
• illustrate a naive and enthusiastic individuality. It is a vernacular manifestation of the highly ornamented high style
of the period. Equally significant is the means of
manufacturing the ornament. With some exceptions, all the
moldings of the building are hand-planed. 11 Elsewhere in
the country, machine cutters had come into popular use by
the 1850s, 12 making moldings of complex profile inexpensive
and abundant. Indeed, the Victorian Era taste for
extravagant ornament owes much of its existence to the
development of the shaper and the jigsaw, and the mass-
produced millwork they supplied. 13
So while other less isolated populations bought their
ornament from a mill or ordered it from a catalog, the
builders of the church in John Day kept up with the current
8
fashion by designing and planing their own. Surely the
First Christian Advent Church is among the latest buildings
in the Northwest to have so many hand-planed moldings. 14
The intent of this chapter has been to place the church
building within the context of its historic construction
circumstances. The church construction was a group project
• possible only supervised by a professional carpenter. The source for the church's design is unknown, although the form
itself is conventional. The building's most significant
feature is its ornament, much of which was hand-planed.
This knowledge lends considerable understanding to the
architectural description in the next chapter, and provides
direction for the restoration plan.
9
Notes
1. At the time of writing, the National Register of
Historic Places nomination form is unfinished. When
completed, the form will be on file at the Oregon State
Historic Preservation Office.
2. M. E. Timms, Letter to the editor, Messiah's
Advocate, 1 February 1898.
3. Hope is identified as a carpenter in 1900 census
• records . 4. While 1900 census records give Hope's birth date as
August 1832, his death certificate says 18 August 1830
(Washington State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital
Statistics, Certificate of Death, 1916).
5. David L. Arthur, curator of the Jenks Memorial
Collection of Adventist Materials at Aurora University,
telephone interview by author, 12 March 1991.
6. Jim Smith, of the Adventist Branch Office in
• Lewiston, Idaho, telephone interview by author, 20 June 1991.
7. Lambert Florin, Historic Western Churches (Seattle:
Superior Publishing Co., 1969), 84.
8. Samuel Sloan, The Model Architect (Philadelphia: E.
s. Jones, 1852; repr., Sloan's Victorian Buildings, New
York, Dover Publications, 1980), 82.
9. Alexander Jackson Downing, The Architecture of
Country Houses (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1850; repr.,
New York: Da Capo Press, 1968), 310.
10. Samuel Sloan, The Model Architect, 67.
11. Lambert Florin, Historic Western Churches, 149.
12. John H. Englund, "An Outline of the Development of
Wood Moulding Machinery," Bulletin of the Association for
Preservation Technology (Fall 1978): 23.
13. Calder Loth and Julius Trousdale Sadler, Jr., The
Only Proper style (Boston, New York Graphic Society, 1975),
45.
14. Philip Dole, interview by author, Eugene, Oregon,
8 September 1991.
10
CHAPTER III
•
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
It is difficult to avoid noticing the First Christian
Advent church when traveling through John Day, Oregon •
• Architecturally, the church demands attention. It is a
gabled rectangular volume with a tall belfry and spire on
its symmetrical front elevation. The building is late
Carpenters Gothic in style, and decorated with embricated
shingles and a profusion of shaped and sawn ornament.
The church is located at the northeast corner of Main
and Bridge Streets, and serves as a west boundary to John
Day's small commercial district (Figure 7). The church
contrasts dramatically with the mostly modern structures
that have grown up around it. Indeed, with the nearest
structure looming only 5 1 away from the chu~ch's east
elevation, there exists a jarring, if not interesting,
competition for space between the building types. The
11
churchyard to the west of the building remains intact as a
vestige of the open spaces that once existed along Main
street.
The Site
• The church is situated at the southeast corner of a 147' x 72' five-sided lot (Figure 8). Sharing the lot with
the church are a house and a small garage building. Various
historic and non-historic plantings ornament the fenced
site.
The front elevation of the church is oriented toward
the south and set back 19 1 from Main Street. 1 About 10'
• from the northwest corner of the church is the house. The
garage is at the northwest corner of the lot at the alley,
and is oriented toward Bridge Street. Concrete sidewalks,
which were poured in 1981, 2 connect the structures.
Visually, the three buildings are perceived as a group. The
yard, the fence, and the buildings' proximity and
architectural style relate the elements to one another.
Although known as the parsonage, little historical
evidence exists concerning the house (Figure 9). It was
probably constructed prior to the church. This assertion is
corroborated by evidence such as the use of square cut nails
on the house, whereas wire nails were used on the church
building. Also, the house can be seen in dedication
12
photographs of the church. Although altered extensively,
the residence is Gothic Revival in style. Today, the
Chamber of Commerce utilizes the building as a Visitors'
Information Center. The garage appears to have been built
circa 1935 (Figure 10).
The south and west boundaries of the lot are defined by
• a poured-concrete retaining wall which was constructed when the road grade was lowered (probably in 19713). steel
posts supporting a 3 1 high, chain-link fence are embedded in
the wall.
The three large Black Walnut trees on the site predate
the construction of the church. There are several large
deciduous bushes along the west elevation of the building .
• Near the front of the church, there are a number of
coniferous bushes and small trees dating from the 1960s. At
the southwest corner of the property, at the street corner,
there is a collection of rose bushes. Placed randomly
throughout the churchyard, there are tulips, irises, and
other flowers. Several lilac bushes exist around the house.
Along Main Street, the lot is dominated by street signs
(including one for the Visitors' Information Center).
The Building
The Architectural Description of the church building
has been broken down into sections. The first of these is a
13
discussion of the building's stone foundation. The balloon-
frame structure is the next topic of discussion. The
church's exterior elevations are each addressed
individually, followed by a description of the building's
interior. The final section gives specific attention to the
ornament alone.
• This section of the study should be prefaced with a
brief explanation of the method used here to describe
moldings. The ornament of the church is unique and
inventive. These qualities make many of the moldings nearly
impossible to describe with words. Standard architectural
terminology has been used to describe moldings which are
• similar in profile to traditional moldings. Such terminology can give the reader only an impression of the
actual appearance of moldings.
Foundation
The church rests on a stone foundation wall and
footing. Further structural load is carried by stacked
stones, which intermittently support girders running
longitudinally under the floor joists.
The foundation walls are constructed of Rattlesnake
Tuff, a volcanic stone commonly used for building
construction throughout the John Day Valley. The walls are
perpendicular to grade on the exterior of the building, but
14
they batter out in the crawl space to form footings. The
footings and lower portions of the walls are of uncut
rubble. There is a top course of rough-dressed stones, 8 11
to 9" in height, upon which the sills rest. Toward the
front of the building, the upper-course stones are carefully
dressed and exhibit perpendicular, tight joints (Figure 11);
little of the rubble wall is evident. Toward the less
I
visible rear of the structure, however, the quality of
craftsmanship progressively decreases, and exposure of the
rubble wall increases {Figure 12). The mortar used in the
foundation is soft, white, and chalky. No joints exhibit a
particular profile.
Two girders, which run the length of the building, are
I
supported by stacked stones and wood blocks. The stacks are
placed at intervals of 3'5" to 7'10".
Structure
The church is of typical balloon-frame construction,
and utilizes rough-sawn pine. The building is supported by
8 11 x 8 11 sills. These are rabbeted at the four main corners,
and where the sills of the entrance tower connect, mortise
and tenon joints are used. The sills for the apse utilize
4 11 x 6 11 beams which are toenailed to the main sill. Running
the length of the building, directly supporting_ the floor
joists, are two 4 11 x 6" girders. These are toenailed to the
15
main sills. Floor joists are 2" x 8" and have been notched
l½" at the sills. The sills, too, have been notched 1 11 , to
accomodate joists. There is no bridging.
Wall studs are 2 11 x 6", except in the apse where
2" x 4"s are used. 4 All studs are 24" on center, and are
toenailed to the sill. There is no bracing or fireblocks
between the studs. All interior sheathing is of 1 11 x 11½"
I
boards.
The studs rise to a top plate of 2 11 x 6" members. On
the eaves walls of the building, the top plate is of a
single member; on the gable ends, double boards are used.
Roof rafters also are 2 11 x 6 11 • There are no trusses, but
rather collar ties, braces, and minor stiffeners
I
(Figure 13). Rafters are connected by plates at the ridge,
and are notched over the top plates.
To the height of its intermediate roof, the entrance
tower is of the construction already described. Resting on
the ceiling joists of the entrance vestibule, however, are
eight 6 11 x 6 11 posts. 5 The posts eventually rise above the
intermediate roof to form the belfry structure where, they
receive the load of the spire (Figure 14). The spire
structure itself is inaccessible.
Exterior Elevations
The church building is not uncommon in terms of its
16
type. It is a gabled rectangular volume with a projecting
entrance tower and spire on its front elevation, and an apse
which projects from its rear elevation. The eaves
elevations are divided into four bays by as many lancet
windows. Applied to this conventional church type are the
decorative elements which give the building its particular
distinction.
I
This section of the Architectural Description has been
arranged by elevation. Each elevation is discussed in terms
of its composition and unique qualities. There are certain
elements, however, which all of the elevations share in
common. These elements are described in the following
paragraphs.
I
The finish elements of the building are constructed of
pine. The 11" water table is flush with the face of the
foundation wall and has an ovolo cap {Figure 15). All
siding is beveled shiplap with 71/ 8" courses. The corner
boards vary in width from 73/ 4 " to 9
1/ 2". Except for those
of the apse, which are plain boards, all of the corner
boards are inset with a beveled, panel-like section; and at
the corner proper there is an ovolo.
There are friezes below the eaves of all of the various
roofs (Figure 16). Identical friezes are used to pediment
the main gables. The friezes are made up of beveled
vertical shiplap boards which are 31/ 11 8 wide.
6 Where a
frieze meets the soffit of a roof there is an ovolo cove
17
molding. Below all of the friezes are torus moldings.
All fascia boards have a serpentine lower edge and a
cavetto crown molding. Below the crown moldings are bead
elements.
Except for the two small windows on the side elevations
of the entrance tower, all windows on the church building
• are essentially identical (Figure 17). The wood sash are
not weighted. The lower sash has four lights. The upper
sash has five lights, the upper three are divided by Y-
tracery muntins. All muntins are 13/ 11 16 thick. The window
apron is inset with a beveled panel, and is supported by two
quirked cyma-recta consoles (Figure 18). The casings are
• plain boards with a beveled inside edge, upon which ornament is applied. Shaped vertical moldings trim the side casings,
and conclude at the springing lines of the arch with caps.
Dentils inset between kerfed moldings trim the arch casing.
The following sections describe each of the church's
exterior elevations.
South Elevation
The front elevation of the church faces Main Street,
and is oriented toward the south (Figures 19 and 20). The
elevation is symmetrical, with an entrance tower projecting
from the center of the facade. Where the tower abuts the
eaves of the gabled main roof, there is a bellcast
18
intermediate roof, above which telescope the belfry and
spire.
The main body at this elevation appears as two sections
flanking the tower. Each side exhibits a window, and the
other standard elements described previously. Unique to
this elevation are the moldings above and below the frieze.
These moldings exhibit not only the typical torus, but also
a thin serpentine element behind it (Figure 21).
The south elevation of the entrance tower is where the
most unique and elaborate elements of the building are
concentrated. The elevation is composed of entrance doors,
a large transom light, an entrance hood, and the
intermediate bellcast roof. The belfry and spire rise above
the ridge of the main roof and are identical on all
elevations.
The entrance doors and large lancet-arched transom
light are defined by their ornamental casings. The paneled
wood doors (installed in 19767) are reached by non-original
poured-concrete steps with embedded pipe handrails.
Delicate, Gothic compound pilasters with faceted plinths
flank the entrance doors (Figure 22). The capitals of the
pilasters, too, are faceted, and then capped with a group of
moldings including three-dimensionally profiled dentils
(Figure 23). A cornice of built-up moldings bridges the
distance between the two sets of capitals, and separates the
doors from the transom.
19
The transom is lancet arched, and divided into three
lights by Y-tracery muntins. An extravagant collection of
moldings springs from the pilaster capitals to form the
transom casing. These built-up pieces include cable
moldings, dentils, and a number of kerfed elements.
Directly above the transom is a small light fixture of an
unknown date.
A gabled hood above the transom light shelters the
entrance. Serpentine vergeboards with applied dentils
ornament the hood, and meet at the peak of the gable with a
pendant. The hood is supported on either side by a
decorative bracket, which projects from the corner boards of
the tower (Figure 24). The brackets have an exaggerated
cyma-recta profile, and are enriched by pyramids, pendants,
small inset moldings, and numerous other elements.
Where the volume of the entrance tower meets the eaves
of the main body's roof, there is an intermediate bellcast
roof (Figure 25). The roof separates the lower portion of
the tower from the belfry and spire, which rise above it.
Original embricated shingles cover the intermediate roof.
The shingles have square or diamond butts, or make up swag-
like courses. At the hips of the roof are thin, kerfed
boards with scalloped, grooved caps.
20
Belfry and Spire
The intermediate roof concludes with a cornice of
built-up moldings, supported on each elevation by three
consoles. The cornice also -serves as a base for the belfry.
The four elevations of the belfry are essentially
identical in detail and dimension (Figure 26). On each
elevation are two small lancet arches. Each arch has four
cusps, which suggest tracery, and each is trimmed with bead
moldings. Placed between the peaks of each set of arches is
a dentilled roundel. The roundel originally framed a clock
on each elevation except on the north. The clocks were
removed probably in the 1950s, and replaced with plywood.
At each corner of the belfry is a thin colonnette with a
turned capital.
Each face of the belfry has a gabled hood. Like the
hood over the main entrance, the belfry hoods are supported
by brackets and have elaborate serpentine vergeboards with
applied dentils. A single piece of wood forms both a finial
and pendant at the peak of each hood.
The bell is a "steel alloy church bell 36" manufactured
by the John Poole Company of Portland, Oregon. Thirty-six
indicates the diameter of the bell's opening in inches.
The church's spire peaks at about 70' above ground
level8 (Figure 27). Each face of the octagonal spire runs
between a corner of the belfry and the peak of a gabled
I
21
hood. Like the shingles on the intermediate roof and
entrance hood, these are original. All original shingles
are ponderosa pine, 9 which was hand-split and then shaved
smooth. The shingle pattern on each face of the spire is
identical, utilizing square, diamond, and octagonal-butt
shingles. At each hip are two thin boards capped with a
I two-thirds round molding. A large built-up wood finial
featuring a cone and an octagonal sphere caps the peak of
the spire. Part of a weather vane remains atop the finial.
West Elevation
Returning to the main body of the building, the west
elevation is an eaves elevation and faces the churchyard
(Figure 28 and 29). The main body is divided into four bays
by as many lancet windows. The window details, as well as
the those of the siding, water table, corner boards, and
eaves, are as described previously.
Projecting 6 1 9" from the south end of the main body is
the entrance tower. A frieze panel runs across the wall
connecting the frieze which pediments the south elevation to
that which is below the entrance hood. There is a window on
the tower's west elevation as well (Figure 30) . 10 The
window is smaller than those already described. There are
two fixed wood sash with a single light in each.
Ornamentally, the exterior window casing is a scaled-down
22
version of its larger counterparts: quirked cyma-recta
consoles supporting a paneled apron, shaped elements with
caps on the side casings, and dentils set in kerfed moldings
at the arch casing.
The west elevation of the apse also is visible at this
perspective. It projects 8 ' 3/ 4" from the north end of the
church's main body. The ridge height of the apse is 16'9"--
12' lower than the main roof ridge. Except for the corner
boards, which are plain 6½" boards, all other elements of
the apse are the same as those already described.
North Elevation
Compared to the rest of the building, the north (rear)
elevation of the church is fairly plain (Figures 31 and 32)·.
This elevation is composed of the gable end of the building
and the gabled apse, which projects from its lower center.
Centered in the pediment of the main body's gable is a
hung chimney. 11 The chimney stack bisects the siding until
it nears the eaves, where it corbels out and abuts the
exterior of the siding. The stack intersects the eaves at
the peak of the gable and rises above the ridge by about
11½".
The original rear exit door is centered on the apse's
north elevation. The door has pegged mortise and tenon
joints, four flat panels, and stiles and rails with cyma-
23
reversa inside edges. The original hardware remains. The
door casing is of plain 4 11 boards. Wood steps, probably
constructed in 1983, 12 reach the door. There is a recent
small light fixture to the west of the door.
Abutting the main body at the ridge of the apse is a
skylight which, although altered, is probably original. A
1910 photograph seems to show the effect of the light from
the skylight behind the pulpit (Figure 33). The skylight is
discussed as late as 1954 in existing church records. 13
The skylight may have been rebuilt when the roof was last
reshingled, perhaps in 1985. 14
East Elevation
The east elevation, with only a 5' space between it and
the adjacent commercial structure, is identical to the west
elevation with two exceptions (Figure 34). The first of
these is a chimney near the center of the wall, probably
built in the late 1930s or 1940s. The chimney abuts the
exterior siding throughout its length, except where it
bisects the wall (immediately above the interior wainscot)
for the connection of stovepipes. The stack intersects the
eaves and rises only slightly above the pitch of the roof.
The second circumstance unique to the west elevation is
at the foundation wall. There is a 10'3½" break in the wall
at its north end. The crawl space is accessed through this
24
opening.
Interior
The interior of the First Christian Advent Church is
simple in floor plan (Figure 8). There are three spaces:
the entrance vestibule, the auditorium, and the apse.
Throughout these spaces, the Gothic Revival character of the
building is maintained by lancet and ogee arches, and
Gothic-influenced ornament. Although most wall surfaces
have been substantially altered, all of the woodwork is
intact and visible.
Entrance Vestibule
Passing through the front door of the building, one
immediate·ly enters the entrance vestibule, which is within
the entrance tower. It is a 5'8½" x 6 1 10½" space with a
14'95/ 8 " ceiling. The south wall of the vestibule consists
almost entirely of the entrance doors and transom light,
both of which have painted, plain board casings.
The opposite (north) wall also consists of a lancet-
arched opening which accesses the auditorium. The opening
is of the same basic dimensions as the front doors and
transom, with extensively ornamented casings. The opening
has been entirely obscured, however, by plywood swinging
25
I doors and above them, plywood sheets. These partitions were
installed in 1970. 15 The alteration, however unartistic,
reduces drafts and permits arrivals to enter the building
without disturbing the congregation. The alteration also
blocks all sunlight from the south-facing transom from
entering the auditorium.
The east and west walls of the entrance vestibule both
have small lancet windows. Unlike other interior aperture
casings, these are of simple boards with small bevels at the
edges (Figure 35). The casings are rectangular rather than
following the curve of the arches.
The wall surfaces of the vestibule, like those in the
auditorium, are covered with paneling which was probably
installed in the 1960s. Baseboards are made up of two
pieces of beveled shiplap, and there is a heat register at
the base of the east wall. The vestibule ceiling is also
constructed of beveled shiplap. At the northwest corner of
the ceiling there is a trap door which accesses the upper
interior of the entrance tower, the attic, and the belfry.
The bellpull rope hangs from a small hole in the southwest
corner of the ceiling.
Auditorium
The auditorium is a single volume which fills the
entire main body of the building. The south interior
26
elevation of the auditorium contains the large lancet-arched
opening of the entrance vestibule, flanked by two windows.
The east and west elevations contain four windows each
(Figure 14). The north elevation of the auditorium exhibits
a large and highly decorated ogee arch which serves as a
proscenium into the apse.
All walls of the auditorium are currently covered with
paneling. Beneath the paneling are three layers of
wallpaper, and a layer of netting tacked directly to the
rough-sawn wall boards. The original wall and ceiling paper
has a somewhat stylized, foliated pattern in olive green
with gold and silver highlights (Figure 36). The background
is cream-colored and embossed with a quilted texture. Such
a scheme is advocated in style books of the period. 16
Where the walls meet the ceiling, there is a matching border
paper which is over 1' wide (Figure 37).
All of the major elements of the interior are enriched
by shaped and sawn woodwork. Unless otherwise noted, all
woodwork is stained a medium brown and lacquered. There is
a 3 '56/ 8 " high wainscot on all of the walls (Figure 38).
The dado rail also serves as a stool for the windows. Below
the rail are 6" square panels. Each panel is inset with a
primitive, simplified fleuron. Below the panels is a bead
molding with decorative diagonal kerfs. There are large
rectangular panels below the bead which are framed by
quirked cyma-recta and bead moldings and plain corner
27
blocks. The stiles and rails surrounding the larger panels
have mortise and tenon joints. The smaller panels and other
elements use just nails. Baseboards have the same quirked
cyma-recta and bead profile as those moldings framing the
large panels.
Window casings form rectangular frames around the
lancet-arched windows (Figure 39). The casings are of
single 51/ 11 8 boards. Each board has quirked, cyma-recta
profiles on either side of a central channel. The channel
is inset with a 1/ 11 8 thick piece which is decorated with
kerfs, giving it a crenelated appearance. Cornerblocks are
of the same profile as the casings, mitered to form squares.
There are also raised spandrel panels.
Although blocked from view in the entrance vestibule,
the entrance arch is visible on the south interior elevation
of the auditorium (Figure 40). The casing and jambs are
designed to appear as engaged columns supporting a
structural arch. The side portions of the casings are
similar in character to the window casings: A 63 / 8 " board
has been shaped on either side of a central channel. The
channel is inset with a decoratively kerfed piece, and
another thin molding runs along its center. The casings at
the arch are essentially identical, except that they consist
of a greater number of built-up and kerfed pieces to
accommodate the curve (Figure 41). Capitals separate the
side casings from the arch casings, and are capped with
28
several moldings {including three-dimensionally profiled
dentils).
The ogee-arched proscenium of the north interior
elevation is the most elaborate and best-crafted element of
the interior {Figures 13 and 42). The proscenium frames the
entrance to the apse, and draws the attention of the
audience to the front of the auditorium. In terms of its
design details, the proscenium is similar to the entrance
arch. Differences do exist, however, resulting in a more
complex work. The corners of the engaged columns are
detailed with turned cable moldings. The arch springs from
paneled capitals (Figure 43). At the peak of the arch is a
corniced cap which exhibits numerous shaped and sawn
elements, and a low serpentine cresting (Figure 44).
Although it was originally painted a creamy grey color with
metallic gold highlights, the proscenium is currently brown.
Like the entrance opening, the tympanum of the proscenium
has been infilled with a plywood sheet. Folding doors
further block the view of the apse.
A 33/ 11 8 high stage extends 7 '2
11 from the north interior
wall of the auditorium and serves as a platform for the
speaker. Originally, the stage was only as wide as the span
of the proscenium opening--about 10 1 • The platform was
probably widened in 1956, when a baptismal was installed
below the stage floor. 17 The baptismal is a 8 ' 1 11 x 4 '33/ 11 4
galvanized metal tub in a wood framework. It is accessed by
29
large trap doors in the stage floor.
Presently the auditorium has a drop ceiling of
composition tiles. Its installation probably coincided with
the construction of the side chimney, as the new ceiling
blocks access to the original hung chimney. The original
papered ceiling remains 2 •3//' above the current surface.
The original ceiling is angled on either side (following the
diagonal roof bracing) and flat at the top (where the
ceiling boards are nailed to collar ties). Where the faces
of the ceiling meet, there are thin built-up moldings
running the length of the auditorium. The moldings have an
ovolo on either side of a central channel, which is inset
with thin scalloped pieces (Figure 45). The molding, which
is painted cream, grey, and metallic gold, matches the
original wallpaper.
The apse is a 7 1 7½" x 11'2" space with a ceiling which
loosely follows the curve of the proscenium arch
(Figure 46). The south interior elevation of the apse
consists entirely of the proscenium opening. There is a
rear exit door centered in the north elevation. The door is
cased with moldings similar in character to the interior
window casings, and has a blind lancet-arched transom above
it. The door and casings, as well as the apse's baseboards,
30
were originall y painted the creamy grey and gold of the
proscenium. These elements are currently painted an off-
white.
The third layer of wallpaper on the apse walls remains
unobscured by paneling. At the south end of the ceiling
peak is the skylight described in the North Exterior
Elevation description. The purpose of the skylight is to
project light from the pulpit toward the audience.
An oversized propane furnace, which probably dates from
the 1960s or 1970s, currently dominates the apse space. To
shield the furnace from the view of the congregation, the
proscenium was infilled as described above.
Ornament
Although particular moldings have already been
described, the ornament of the building warrants discussion
in more specific terms. Indeed, it is the ornament of the
First Christian Advent Church which is most signi ficant in
defining the character of the building. Relevant issues are
the manufacture of the ornament, its architectural sources,
its qualities, and recurring motifs.
Method of Manufacture
There were two means of manufacturing the decorations
31
of the building. Elements such as the vergeboards,
consoles, and interior wainscot fleurons, were created using
a band saw or scroll saw. Almost all evidence suggests that
elements with a profile in section, such as the vergeboard
dentils or the interior window casings, were shaped using a
hand-molding plane. Evidence of hand planing includes the
lack of perpendicular grooves on wood surfaces (which would
be indicative of a shaping machine), irregularities between
moldings which are meant to be identical (Figure 47),
backsides of moldings which exhibit plane marks, and central
channels in interior aperture casings where plane marks are
visible. There is one molding, however, is known to be
stock millwork. The molding above the dado rail is clearly
machine shaped, and there could be some others.
Architectural Sources
As discussed previously, the church is Gothic Revival
in style. It was constructed, however, in the Queen Anne
period. 18 By 1900 the Gothic style had fallen out of favor
for residential construction, but continued to be used for
traditional ecclesiastical buildings. 19 Although in the
Gothic idiom, the church's decorations and dominant motifs
show a Queen Anne predilection for ornament from a variety
of sources. Decorations are of Gothic, Classical, and
inventive origins.
32
Gothic features include the thin compound pilasters
flanking the entrance doors, and the cusped arches in the
belfry. The numerous built-up moldings which trim the
lancet-arched transom light suggests the deep, concentric
moldings of a Gothic cathedral doorjamb. On the interior,
window casings are inset with crenelated elements, and there
are primitive, stylized fleurons set within the wainscot
panels.
The individual profiles of many moldings are
classically derived. Cyma-recta, .torus, ovolo, fillet,
bead, and cavetto sections predominate. Larger features of
classical origin include the pedimented main gables.
Even where the origins of some decorations and
individual profiles are decipherable, most ornament is at
least somewhat inventive. For example, the dentil-like
moldings, which appear on the capitals of all major
pilasters or engaged columns, are unique. Whether they
represent a stylized version of archeological ornament or
are pure fantasy is unknown. Herein lies the difficulty in
describing the building's ornament. Conventional
architectural terminology has been used throughout this
study, even when it can only suggest the profiles of unique
moldings.
33
Architectural Qualities
The broader "feel" of the ornament is as important as
its origins. The decorations are often small in scale, and
are not necessarily identical from architectural element to
element. In addition, the ornaments are sometimes used in
naive combinations, and can have fairly primitive qualities.
Some moldings are downright tiny, such as the trim in
the paneled apron of exterior windows (Figure 48). In other
areas, such as the exterior casing around the entrance
transom, a collection of shaped pieces of a variety of sizes
forms a complex, built-up surround. The close-up viewer
shares the same delight the builder must have felt in
designing such intricate details. They illustrate an
imaginative understanding of architectural scale, and light
and shadow. Authorities of the period, however, would
probably have criticized the ornament as being overly
complex for the size of its elements, and thus ineffective
in terms of light and shadow. 20 Such commentary does not
diminishes the significance of the ornament; rather it
defines the ornament as a unique manifestation of its time
and place, and attests to the craftsman's creativity.
Moldings also can vary from one architectural element
to another such element. For example, Figures 49 and 50
illustrate either side of the arched portion of a window
casing. Two window aprons, one with a drip lip and one
34
without, are shown in Figures 51 and 52.
Recurring Motifs
Lastly, recurring motifs should be discussed. The
predominant Gothic motif already has been described. A
second motif is the serpentine form. This is most evident
at the vergeboards, fascia boards, and south elevation
frieze moldings. On the interior, serpentine elements exist
at the entrance arch, proscenium casings, window spandrels,
and elsewhere. Dentils are a motif found on pilaster and
engaged column capitals, and also on vergeboards and
roundels. Decorative kerfs are equally common, and are
found on the wainscot bead, interior window, proscenium
casings, and elsewhere. 21
Whatever their dimensions, all straight interior
aperture casings are of a common design. A single board is
shaped with quirked, cyma-rectas on either side of a central
channel (Figure 53). The channel is inset with additional
elements which vary in complexity depending on the aperture.
Conclusion
The intent of this chapter has been to illustrate with
words the First Christian Advent Church building.
Structurally, the building is typical of the period. As a
35
building type, also, the church is conventional--its plan
and major components maintain a conservative tradition. It
is in the detail of the building's ornament where one finds
inventiveness and fancy. Further, geographical adaptation
is evident in the hand-planing of moldings, and the use of
pine as a shingle material. While some recent alterations
have affected the building, few are irreversable. The
building is an outstanding regional manifestation of the
late Carpenters Gothic.
36
Notes
1. The setback of the church contrasts with the
adjacent commercial structure, which has only a 3 1 setback.
2. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 3, p. 53, 1 July 1981.
3. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church, 11 vol. 2, p. 77, 3 March 1971.
4. Both the studs and the sill of the apse are of
dimensions different from those on the rest of the building.
In addition, the apse sill is only toenailed to the main
sill, rather than using joinery, as at the entrance sill.
Such evidence suggests that the apse, although original, may
have been conceived only after construction was in process.
5. The posts are actually constructed of built-up
2 11 X 6 11 s.
6. Soffits also utilize 3 1/ 11 8 beveled shiplap boards.
7. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 2, p. 113, 10 January 1976.
8. Sanborn Map Company, "Sanborn Map of John Day,
Oregon 1911" (San Pablo [California]: Vlad Shkurkin, 1983).
9. A scrap shingle was analyzed by Robert Krahmer,
Professor Emeritus at the College of Forestry, Oregon State
University, and found to be ponderosa pine.
10. The small window on the west elevation of the
entrance tower is identical to that on the opposite, east
elevation.
11. The structure supporting the hung chimney is
inaccessible. Clearly, however, the structure is at the
same height as the top plate.
12. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 3, p. 61, 10 April 1983.
13. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 1, p. 24, 14 August 1954.
14. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 3, p. 73, 13 March 1985.
37
15. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 2, p. 68, 26 April 1970.
16. In Catherine Lynn's Wallpaper in America, She
says, "Eastlake's recommendation of •very light drab or
green (not emerald)' may have been one source for the
predominance of olive shades in commercially produced
wallpapers of the 1880s, with which metallic gold, shades of
maroon, and touches of creamy beiges were frequently
combined." (New York: W.W. Norton and Co., Inc. 1980), 429.
17. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 1, p. 38, 19 February 1956.
18. Rosalind Clark, in Architecture Oregon Style,
defines the Gothic Revival period as 1850 to 1890 (46); the
Queen Anne, 1880-1900 (85). (Portland: Professional Book
Center, Inc., 1983).
19. A. F. D. Hamlin, A History of Ornament, vol. 2
(New York: The Century Company, 1923), 437-8.
20. In Alexander Jackson Downing's The Architecture of
Country Houses, he says, "Take for example, the verge-board
of a rural-Gothic gable. As part of a well-built villa,
this verge-board is carefully carved in thick and solid
plank, so as to exhibit all the details of outline and
tracery boldly to the eye ••.• Now let this be imitated in
a cheap cottage, and it is almost always sawn out of thin
board, so as to have a frippery and 'gingerbread' look which
degrades rather than elevates the beauty of the cottage"
(42). Later, Downing writes that "all •.• verge-boards
should be carved out of sound 2 1/2 or 3 inch pine plank so
as to have a real and solid appearance" (328). (New York:
Dover Publications, Inc., 1969).
21. Kerfs are also used functionally at all arches.
38
CHAPTER IV
CONDITION REPORT
Chapter IV, the Condition Report, has been arranged
around the issues which have contributed to the First Christ
Advent Church building's decline in physical and historical
integrity. Physical integrity concerns the condition of the
building's fabric--the stability of the structure and the
restorability of ornament. Historical integrity deals with
the existence of original and historic period elements.
Even if such elements' physical conditions make them
unrestorable, they still can provide invaluable evidence for
historical records and to serve as models for reproduction.
The Condition Report is arranged according to the
I
issues which have caused deterioration, rather by area of
the building or construction material. These issues are
construction problems, exposure to the elements, misguided
alterations, deferred maintenance, and miscellaneous
39
circumstances.
Construction Problems
The general condition of the church attests to the
overall high quality of the building's construction. With
the hindsight of ninety-one years, however, several problems
in the construction have become clear.
The foundation walls and footing have remained fairly
true. The only significant problem occurs at the northeast
corner of the building. Here, at the east end of the north
elevation, the wall is 11/ 11 16 above the norm where it abuts
the apse. It is 1¼" below normal at the corner itself. The
problem is attributable mostly to the 10'3½" crawl space
access at the north end of the east foundation. The break
in the wall means that the sill has to carry the weight of
the entire corner of the building over to the end-wall. The
problem is exacerbated by the poorer quality of the end-wall
masonry, and by a section of the north sill which was cut
out. Church records from the early 1960s indicate that the
problem is not new. 1
The roof structure of the church also exhibits a design
flaw. The roof is not supported by trusses, but rather by
rafters, collar ties, bracing between the ties and wall
studs, and other minor stiffeners (Figure 12). The design
shows a lack of understanding of structural load-bearing
40
issues, and the results are twofold.
The most important consequence is that the east wall
has begun to lean out by 1" at the south end, and by 2 11 at
the north end. This has occurred because the rafters have
spread and exerted lateral pressure on the tops of the
walls. The leaning alone would not be any cause for concern
if the building did not also creak and groan in the wind as
it does. This circumstance illustrates the instability of
the roof structure.
The second, less serious problem at the roof is that
the rafters themselves have deflected--to well over 1" at
the middle of the roof. The deflection is little cause for
concern, although it has caused a slight upward bow in the
eaves lines.
Exterior window sills exhibit a construction problem as
well. The west window on the south elevation, and the two
middle windows on the west elevation have sills which have
split along their entire lengths (Figure 54). Subsequently,
the sills have collapsed. Exposure to the elements and poor
maintenance are two factors which have contributed to the
damage. Also significant is the shallow pitch of the sills.
They tend to hold water and collect debris.
The complex collections of built-up ornament, which
profusely decorate the exterior of the church, are in fairly
good condition. Approximately 10 percent of these are
either missing, or in such a condition that they need
41
replacing. The actual percentage of damaged ornament can be
more accurately gauged after the paint has been stripped
from such elements.
Inherent in the design of such ornament are some fairly
fragile construction details. Figure 23 shows where single
nails, with which the dentils are attached, have begun to
work themselves loose. Indeed, no dentils at all remain on
the opposite set of capitals. Inevitably, such ornament
requires some maintenance to protect it from the elements.
The Elements
Eastern Oregon has a dry climate and wide fluctuations
in temperature. Wood scraps which have laid on the ground
underneath the building since its construction are in
pristine condition. Moisture has had a contributing role in
the erosion of the exterior elements of the church, but
probably not to the same degree as have ultraviolet light
and wind exposure.
The soft chalky mortar of the foundation walls have
eroded 1" or more on each elevation, and some joints exhibit
no mortar at all. The texture of the mortar suggests that
it has no cement. This lack of a binding agent makes it
susceptible to dissolution. That most of the erosion has
occurred due to rain rather than rising damp is attested to
by the fact that the mortar is still in good condition in
•
42
the crawl space. No problems have yet occurred due to
mortar disintegration.
Both the north and east elevations illustrate the
condition of walls protected from the elements. The east
elevation is in excellent condition. Besides having little
exposure to southwest rains and wind, this wall is hemmed in
by a tall concrete block building 5' away. The north
elevation, with little ornament or exposure to the weather,
also exhibits healthy wood elements.
It is the south and west elevations that have been most
affected by sun, wind, and rain. The majority of
deterioration has occurred among the ornament. Numerous
elements are eroded or missing. Smaller decorations have
had particular difficulty surviving. Other problem areas
are the window casings, the clock roundels of the belfry,
the vergeboards, and the finial and weather vane of the
spire. Water tables, as well, have cupped outward (probably
the combined result of exposure to the weather and the
shrinkage of the sills).
The gabled entrance hood, intermediate roof, and spire
have original pine shingles. The shingles were hand-split,
and then shaved to a remarkable smoothness. This surface,
along with the roof pitch and climate, are the reasons for
the roofs' longevity.
Many shingles, however, have significantly eroded and
split due to wind, ultraviolet-light, and rain exposure.
•
43
The shingles on the north face of the steeple, and some of
the more vertically inclined shingles on the intermediate
roof, show less degradation. Decorative hip caps, all of
which are very thin pieces of wood in the first place, also
have eroded, split, and warped.
Alterations
Particularly in the case of a collectively owned and
maintained building, alterations can sometimes be made
without consideration of the long-term well-being of the
structure. Several such changes have occurred at the First
Christian Advent Church, often affecting both physical and
historical integrity.
The building was painted as recently as 1984. 2 The
foundation stones also were painted at this time, if not
previously, along with the rear chimney. With the exception
of some grades of brick and concrete, painting historic
masonry is never a good idea. The paint layer traps
moisture in the stone and can cause dissolution and
disintegration. Some such damage is evident around the
entire foundation wall.
Originally there were clocks on all but the north
elevation of the belfry. By replacing the clocks with
plywood, the original effect and purpose of the belfry is
diminished.
44
The installation of a propane heater in the apse in has
caused more problems than any other alteration. Where it
spans the apse in the crawl space, a 2'3" section sill was
cut out to make room for duct work (Figure 55) (a hole was
also cut in the floor of the apse for ducts). The sill
break has exacerbated differential settlement at the
northeast corner.
A second problem associated with the heating unit
installation is that a 120 gallon propane tank was placed
directly against the east exterior elevation of the apse.
Leaves and other debris have collected between the tank and
the wall, permitting an accumulation of moisture. The
result is an isolated area of brown rot in the water table--
the only rot in the entire building.
A significant interior problem associated with the
heater concerns the plywood sheets and folding doors which
fill in the proscenium arch. Although not seriously
affecting the physical condition of the church, the
partition destroys the original visual effect intended for
the apse. Nine heat registers also have been installed
throughout the building. These are fairly unobtrusive, and
required only small holes to be cut in the floorboards.
A final heating related alteration is insulation.
Fiberglass rolled insulation was installed between all floor
joists (except for those in the apse) and between all collar
ties in the attic. The walls are not insulated.
45
Various other alterations have occurred on the
interior, too. As at the proscenium, the entrance arch has
been infilled with plywood panels and swinging doors. Any
damage caused to the woodwork of this opening or at the
proscenium by these elements cannot be determined until the
partitions are removed. Little damage is suspected.
The current floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces are in
serviceable condition, notwithstanding historical accuracy
or visual appeal. Carpeting on top of particle board sheets
was laid in 1972, 3 obscuring the original floor surface.
Scraps of original floorboards reveal that the old floors
were probably originally left unfinished, and later painted.
The boards have never been excessively sanded for
refinishing, if at all, and are in good physical condition.
The original wallpaper, below two subsequent paper
layers, is not restorable. The wainscot, window sash, and
window and door casings are all in excellent condition.
Almost all interior woodwork is stained and lacquered. The
surface finish is historic, although scars beneath the stain
suggest that the wood may have been left unfinished for a
period. No painted interior wood surfaces (entrance
vestibule and apse woodwork) currently exhibit their
original colors.
Only three of the twelve windows will open. The two
windows in the entrance vestibule are fixed; the other
windows do not function because they have been gummed-up
46
with caulk applied in the sash tracks and at the meeting
rails. Such a measure was apparently taken for thermal
purposes. Eleven panes of window glass are cracked; three
of them significantly.
Deferred Maintenance
Lack of consistent and proper maintenance can be a
building's worst enemy. The First Christian Advent Church
building has always had fairly regular maintenance. On
occasion, however, the building has been left too long
without new paint. This circumstance has contributed to the
deterioration of the exterior wood members by permitting
greater exposure to the elements.
The current paint color is a light beige which
approximates the original color. The belfry was originally
polychromatic; besides the beige of the body, there was a
deep red, a brown, and a black (see Restoration Plan for
original paint colors). The original belfry colors remained
until at least the early 1930s (Figure 56).
Other Deterioration Issues
Numerous miscellaneous circumstances also have
contributed to the deterioration of the church building. At
the corner between the west elevation of the apse and the
47
main body of the church there stands a large Black Walnut
tree. As the tree has grown, the roots have raised the
northwest corner of the apse foundation 1¼" above the norm.
Because the northeast corner of the apse foundation is¼"
below normal (probably due to general settlement), the
problem is visually apparent.
As discussed previously, the concrete building which
stands 5' from the east elevation of the church has
protected that wall from exposure to the elements. It has
also created some problems. At the north end of the
elevation, an equipment platform has been built between the
two buildings. The platform is stabilized by nailers
attached to the church's siding. Toward the south end of
the elevation, the exhaust pipe for a heat stove in the
adjacent building has blackened the church wall with soot.
Conclusion
In general terms, the church building is in good
condition both physically and historically. There are,
however, significant problems--particularly among exterior
ornament, and at the northeast corner of the foundation
wall. Also, interior surfaces have been covered by later
layers. Few problems exist where there is not at least some
evidence of the original circumstance. No conditions
warrant emergency attention, but significant intervention
48
will be required for the long-term well-being, and
appropriate interpretation of the church.
49
Notes
1. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 1, p. 86, 11 March 1964.
2. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 3, p. 69, 12 May 1984.
3. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," vol. 2, p. 86, 12 January 1972.
50
CHAPTER V
RESTORATION PLAN
The Restoration Plan has three components: a discussion
of historic preservation principles, comprehensive
restoration recommendations, and a breakdown of the
restoration project into phases and tasks.
Historic Preservation Principles
Rather than being renovated or adaptively used, the
First Christian Advent Church building is being restored to
its 1900 appearance. Restoration is the act or process of
accurately recovering the form and details of a property as
it was in a particular period of time by means of the
retention, protection, and repair of its architectural
fabric, and by the removal of later work or replacement of
missing earlier work. 1
51
The philosophy which guides a restoration is devised
according to the principles of historic preservation.
Accordingly, it is important that the members of the John
Day Historic Preservation Foundation continue to expand
their knowledge of preservation philosophy and practices.
Foundation members will be the ones choosing contractors,
leading volunteers, sometimes doing the work themselves, and
overseeing the entire project. By the time it is over,
Foundation members will be the experts.
Properties on the National Register of Historic Places
are required to comply with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for
Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. This document is the
industry standard and authority for basic principles and
guidelines. Some other sources for advice--technical and
otherwise--are the National Park Service, the Oregon state
Historic Preservation Office, the Historic Preservation
League of Oregon, and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation. 2 Throughout the restoration recommendations
there are references to sources which can provide more
specific technical information.
Working with historic buildings requires an uncommon
gentleness and sensitivity. Indeed, some of the
recommendations in the following section may at first seem
unrealistic, yet they are standards of quality restoration.
Conservation of the church will undoubtedly be an expensive,
52
long-term project. The best approach will be to unhurriedly
performs aspects of the restoration as funds are made
available. No conditions of the church warrant emergency
attention. Each task of the project will build upon the
last, progressively revealing the historic character of the
building.
A number of guidelines specific to the Foundation's
instrumental role in determining the course of the
restoration are as follows:
1. The Foundation should maintain the highest
possible standards of restoration quality.
2. The entire process of restoration should be
documented with photographs and written records. Such
materials can prove invaluable to future restoration
efforts.
3. Hire only those contractors who are familiar with
historic building technology, and who approach restoration
with the same philosophy as the Foundation. If some less
crucial tasks must be performed by contractors without such
training, the Foundation may have to educate the contractor.
Technical material referred to throughout the chapter will
be helpful in such an endeavor. Volunteers working on the
building will also requiring training specific to their
task.
4. Regardless of who is doing the work, someone with a
good sense of the significant issues should be on site
53
during the project to observe. Often the removal of non-
historic elements and surface layers reveals historical
evidence. Such clues require recording and possible
conservation. Unskilled workers may not have the skills to
recognize such evidence.
Below are some key guidelines with which contractors
should comply. The Foundation may wish to include the first
two of these points, in particular, in a contract.
1. All measures taken shall comply with the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and
Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
2. Gentleness and care must be taken with all historic
materials.
3. Usually low-tech methods work the best. These are
often the gentlest means, and usually the most accurate
historically.
4. Avoid new-fangled cures, chemicals, and materials.
Use only those processes and materials with proven track
records for use on historic buildings.
5. Do not over-restore.
Restoration Recommendations
The following are recommendations, specifications, and
tasks to be executed for a complete restoration of the
church building. Some of the guidelines are quite specific,
54
while others are more general in nature. The
recommendations are addressed to whomever is doing the work.
In most cases the work will require a professional
craftsperson. In some other cases, a member of the
Foundation may be able to do the work him or herself. While
all issues are addressed, these recommendations cannot be
comprehensive. For example, some research cannot be
accomplished until scaffolding is up, or until current wall
surfaces are removed.
The order of the restoration tasks themselves must
consider physical, financial, technical, and logistical
circumstances. The recommendations below, however, are
arranged according to technical issues. At the end of the
text, the tasks are put into implementation phases which
have been arranged according to importance in the physical
and historical integrity of the building.
Paint Issues
Paint affects a building both visually and physically.
Historically accurate colors will return the building to its
original appearance. At the same time, paint is among the
most effective and cost-efficient means of protecting a
building from deterioration. Paint issues involve exterior
paint application, paint analysis at the belfry, masonry
stripping, and interior paint application.
55
Exterior Wall Surfaces
Painting the exterior of the church is among the
highest priorities of the restoration. Preparing the wood
for paint will be many times as time-consuming as the paint
application itself. Preparation will involve scraping, heat
stripping, some chemical stripping, and light sanding.
All ornament should be restored before the church is
painted. In fact, it will be impossible to paint some areas
properly until the wood has been repaired. Such repair is a
major undertaking, and is discussed in the Wood Issues
section. Considering the expense of restoring the wood in
combination with that of painting, it may be most logical to
work on each elevation as an individual project. In other
words, one elevation could be repaired and repainted in each
of four consecutive summers, or as budget allowed. With
this approach, the job will be done right the first time.
The other alternative is to go ahead and paint the whole
building and repair all damaged moldings at a later date.
Paint would at least arrest the further deterioration of
damaged moldings. The problem with this alternative is the
logistics of putting up scaffolding all over again.
Figure 57 shows the original paint color of the body of
the church, analyzed from paint chips taken from the
building. Figure 58 illustrates the colors of the belfry,
56
which has the only polychrome on the exterior. A
comprehensive analysis of the belfry paint must take place
when scaffolding is installed around the spire. A paint
analysis will reveal the locations of each color, as well as
any other colors which may exist. A sense of the belfry's
color scheme is evident in Figure 59. A more comprehensive
analysis of the body of the building could occur as well--
particularly at window sash. A member of the Foundation
could teach him or herself how to do the paint analysis. 3
As mentioned, wall surface preparation is going to take
time. Some areas, such as the south and west elevations,
will have to be almost entirely heat stripped. Areas like
the east elevation, however, will need little preparation
other than washing and a light sanding. Particularly
complex moldings will have to be chemically stripped. The
goal of wall preparation is to have clean surfaces and no
loose paint.
Foundation members should read the appropriate
technical materials, 4 and make sure that the paint
contractor has also read them. Require that any contractor
comply with the follow guidelines:
1. Do not use high-pressure water sprayers, rotary
sanders, or sandblasters.
2. Do all heat stripping before chemical stripping.
3. Minimize chemical stripping to complex ornaments.
4. Comply with all state regulations regarding lead
57
paint, chemical stripper, and other toxic substances.
5. Do not strip everything. Leave areas where the
paint is in good condition unstrfpped. These will serve as
a historic record of all historic paint layers. Identify
these undisturbed areas in restoration records for future
restoration efforts.
6. Have a carpenter resecure all loose elements, and
tighten open joints.
7. Lightly sand all wood after stripping with a block
or palm sander.
8. Prime all stripped wood with an oil-based primer.
9. Use oil-based finish paint. Oil-based paints
penetrate more deeply into the wood than latex paints, thus
affording the greatest protection. Latex paints adhere only
to the surface.
10. Use a gloss finish paint to mimic the appearance
of the original lead paint. Gloss paints are also more
water-repellent than flat paints. Like lead paint, the oil
paint will age to a flat finish in time.
11. Apply the paint with brushes. Brushes push the
paint as deeply into the wood as possible, and leave an
historic surface texture. Sprayer apply no pressure and
leave a very thin layer of paint. An option is to spray the
paint on and go over it with a brush.
12. Do not paint the foundation walls or chimneys.
58
Paint on Foundation Walls
The current paint layers on the foundation walls should
be removed. The walls should be scrubbed with a stiff,
natural-bristle brush to remove all loose paint. Metallic
brushes will damage the stone. Low-level pressurized water,
such as from a garden hose, may be used to loosen well-
adhered paint. Sandblasters or high-pressure sprayers
should never be used. 5
Interior Painted Surfaces
Originally, painted interior elements were a creamy
grey color (Figure 60), to compliment the wallpaper. When
the interior is restored, these same elements will have to
match the new wallpaper (see Interior Wall and Ceiling
surface Issues section). Use a paint color which relates to
the new wallpaper in the same way the original paint color
matched the original paper.
The proscenium and apse door casings originally
utilized the same color as above, along with a metallic
gold. Figure 33 illustrates the scheme to which the
proscenium and apse elements should be restored.
59
Roofing Issues
The are two aspects of the restoration of the church
which will require particularly advanced skill on the part
of the craftsman. One of these is ornament repair, and the
other is reshingling of the entrance tower roofs. The roofs
are original, having given a remarkable 91 years of
protection. The shingles play a very significant role in
the overall design and character of the church.
Accordingly, it is important that the roofs be restored
accurately and well.
As discussed in a previous chapter, the shingles are
hand-split ponderosa pine which has then been shaved to
smoothness. This method of manufacture has been a key to
their longevity. Besides having almost no tooth to collect
and absorb water, the cells of shaved shingles are less apt
to have been cut open, unlike sawn shingles.
If at all possible, the original wood specie and the
original method of shingle manufacture should be used in
restoring the roofs. Such an approach will be more
difficult, yet it is a crucial aspect of the building's
character. The cheaper alternative would be to use high
quality sawn cedar shingles. In the long-run, however, one
roof of split and shaved shingles will last as long as two
sawn shingle roofs. 6 In addition, pine represents a
regional adaptation in building materials--a real aspect of
60
the building's significance.
After the scaffolding is up, and before the roofs are
reshingled, the roofs must be documented. The overall
pattern of each roof will be measured and recorded in
drawings, notes, and photographs. The dimensions and shapes
of the shingle varieties must be recorded, along with
shingle width, thickness, and course depth.
Perhaps twenty-five percent of the original shingles
can and should be reused--particularly those on the north
faces of the spire. Some shingles may have to be resecured.
Hip caps will also have to be repaired or replicated at this
time (see Non-Structural Wood Issues section).
The old roof sheathing should not be covered with
plywood sheets. Wood shingles last much longer when they
are allowed to breathe. Plywood sheets and building paper
restrict such breathing, and they are not historically
accurate. Shingles should be nailed to the sheathing rather
than stapled. staples crush wood and are not accurate
historically. Also, the complexity of the shingle patterns
will make the use of a staple gun no more time-efficient
than a hammer and nails. With the expense of putting up
scaffolding and roofing, it might as well be done correctly.
The present asphalt shingles on the main body and apse
roofs could be as little as six years old, 7 in which case
they could last for another twenty years. When the time
comes to reroof, wood shingles should be used.
61
Other concerns which will have to be addressed while
the scaffolding is up are the wood finial, belfry ornament,
clocks, and the weather vane. The first three of these are
discussed in their respective sections. An iron or
coppersmith would have to be consulted to restore the
weather vane. Although it appears to be in satisfactory
condition, the weather vane is missing several elements.
Masonry Issues
Masonry problems concern the foundation walls and
chimneys. Differential settlement circumstances at the
northeast corner of the building need to be solved for load-
bearing reasons, and also to accommodate patching the north
elevation sill. All foundation walls require repointing.
Chimney issues concern stabilization.
Differential Settlement
As discussed in the Condition Report, differential
settlement has occurred at the north end of the building for
a number of reasons. The most important problem is the 10'
crawlspace opening at the north end of the east elevation.
The installation of structural posts across the opening will
carry the weight of the building at that area, thus
relieving the load on the end-wall.
62
Four 8" x 8" posts on concrete pads should be installed
after the sill has been jacked up to its proper height.
Later a door can be installed across the opening which will
hide the posts, and block access to the crawlspace. once
the load has been relieved from the east end of the north
foundation wall, the wall can be rebuilt to the extent
needed. Finally, the sill can be patched (see Structural
Wood Issues section).
Repainting Foundation Walls
Joints on the foundation walls should not be repainted
until paint on the masonry is removed as outlined in a
previous section. The two significant aspects of repainting
are the mortar mixture and the joint profile.
The historic mortar is very soft and chalky. A new mix
will have to be devised to duplicate the original mortar's
color and texture. While the new mortar can be somewhat
harder than the original (which appears to contain no cement
at all), it must not be as hard as the stones themselves.
The mortar and stones will press against each other as
moisture content and temperature fluctuate. It is important
that the mortar gives more than the stones do. Repainting
is a relatively simple process, but replacing the stones
would be very expensive. Do not use a Redi-mix type mortar-
-it will invariably be too hard. A custom formulation will
63
have to be devised. 8
Because the mortar has eroded so significantly, there
is little evidence of original joint profiles. When
repainting, joints should be almost flush with the stone
surface, and slightly concave in profile. This approach
will afford the greatest longevity of the new pointing.
Chimneys
Because the rear chimney is no longer in use, there is
little point in fully restoring it. The chimney does need
to be stabilized, however. If additional bricks must be
used, they should match the originals in color, texture, and
hardness. As at the foundation walls, a custom mixture will
have to be devised for the mortar. After stabilization, the
chimney flue should be protected by installing an
unobtrusive metal cap at the top of the stack, not visible
from the street. The cap will protect the chimney and the
interior of the building from rain, snow, birds, and debris.
The chimney on the east elevation is not original. It
does, however, illustrate the evolution of heating systems
in the building. The top of the chimney should be capped as
described above, and left alone.
64
Structural Wood Issues
Structural wood issues which require attention are the
cut-out section of sill at the north elevation, the failing
roof structure, and a number of split window sills. The
first two of these tasks cannot occur until the northeast
corner of the foundation wall is repaired. Window sill
repair should be a fairly high priority, as they are
particularly vulnerable to the weather.
Sill Repair
It would be most logical to go ahead and patch the sill
as soon as the foundation wall is repaired. An 8 11 x 8 11 beam
should be used. Figure 61 illustrates the type of joint
which would be appropriate for the patch. Accurately
executed, this joint will restore the original structural
function of the sill.
Truing the East Wall and Reinforcing the Roof Structure
As discussed in the Condition Report, the east
elevation of the church leans out 1 11 to 2 11 at its top.
Truing the wall, as well as eliminating creaks and groans
during winds, depends upon reinforcing the roof structure.
Reinforcing the roof structure can only be performed
65
after the foundation wall is repaired, and while paper and
netting are removed from the angled faces of the ceiling
(see Interior Wall and Ceiling Surface Issues section). The
angled ceiling boards at the top plate height must be
removed, leaving a clearspan between the east and west top
plates. Come-alongs can be attached intermittently between
the top plates, and the east wall can carefully be pulled
up. Once both walls are true, wood stiffeners can be added
as per Figure 62, which will triangulate the failed area of
the roof structure. Such reinforcement will offer minimal
interference with historic integrity, and will halt future
unnatural deflection.
Window Sills
The three window sills which have split along their
entire lengths require replacement. The sills should be
replicated exactly, using the originals as models, and they
should be front and back-primed before installation.
Many other sills exhibit significant erosion. These
can be restored using a liquid wood consolidant, or if
necessary, a structural adhesive putty. 9 Considering the
exposure and shallow pitch of the sills, they will have to
be continually monitored to clean off debris and to ensure
the effectiveness of the paint.
66
Non-Structural Wood Issues
The major component of this section is a discussion of
the restoration of exterior ornament and details. Repair of
the interior floor is also included here, along with some
minor tasks.
Exterior Ornament
It has already been established that the ornament of
the church is its most character-defining feature, and
responsible for much of the building's visual delight and
appeal. It is of unsurpassing importance that all exterior
ornament is restored as carefully as possible.
Ornament restoration should occur before painting the
building. Some moldings can be restored using a liquid wood
consolidant or dutchman patches. Ornament should be
repaired rather than replaced wherever possible. Some
moldings will require reproduction.
Moldings reproduction will involve first finding a
millwright who is experienced in the historic method of
hand-planing, and who can cut his own blades to match
original profiles. It is important to emphasize that the
historic technique be used. This non-mechanized process has
given the moldings subtle differences in profile and shape
which are of unparalleled importance in maintaining the
67
vitality and integrity of the structure. Many of the
profiles are unique to this building alone, and it would be
a great loss to replace them with modern approximations.
The millwright will have to take a local approach to
determining the profiles of individual moldings. As
illustrated in the Architectural Description, so-called
identical moldings can differ from area to area on the
building. Measurements will have to be taken for each
individual molding to ensure that its profile and dimensions
are accurate. All ornament should be front- and back-primed
before being reattached to the church.
This part of the restoration is going to be expensive.
Until such measures can be afforded, there is little harm in
leaving missing or deteriorated moldings as they are.
Water table
Two areas of the water table cup out significantly
enough to warrant replacement. The entire water table of
the west elevation, and that on the east elevation of the
entrance vestibule should be replaced in kind.
Front Doors
The non-original front doors on the church are in
excellent condition, and are fairly compatible visually.
68
When other, more pressing issues are taken care of, the
doors should be replaced. The replacement doors should have
four panels like those in the historic photographs, and have
pegged mortise and tenon joints. The doors could be custom
milled.
Belfry Trap Door
The hole in the floor through which the belfry is
accessed is left wide open. A carpenter could design a
simple trap door which will protect the interior of the
entrance tower from birds and from the elements. The door
should not be visible from the street. Given the tight
quarters of the belfry, a rubber gasket around the edges may
be required.
Windows
During the restoration, it will make most sense to deal
with inoperable windows and reglazing at the same time as
the repair of window sills. The caulk which is currently
gumming up most sash tracks and meeting rails of windows
should be removed. In some cases, sash guides and the sash
themselves may have to be removed.
Although replacing glass lights is a low priority, it
makes sense to do so along with the repairs described above.
69
There are only three or four lights with cracks significant
enough to warrant replacement. Wavy, antique glass should
be used for reglazing. Such glass is not difficult to find
in salvage yards and junk shops.
Intrusion of Neighbors
Somehow the occupants of the building directly to the
east of the church (the Motherload) will have to be
persuaded to alter the equipment platform which is nailed to
the east elevation of the church. The platform should not
touch the church building. A related problem is the heat
stove exhaust pipe, which should be extended above the
ridgeline of the church to eliminate the problem of soot on
the church wall. These problems should be corrected before
repainting.
Crawlspace Access
A door should be installed over the crawlspace opening
to keep out cats and other animals. A simple door could be
hinged from the sill, or from the posts installed as per the
Masonry Issues section. The door should be constructed on a
2" x 2" or 2" x 4" framework. Part or all of the door
should be screened for ventilation of the crawlspace.
70
Interior Floors
The original wood floor were probably left unfinished.
To restore the floors, the carpeting, particle board, and
nailer strips must first be removed. If the particle board
is not glued to the floor, the floor can probably just be
washed, sanded with a very fine paper, and then painted. If
the particle board was glued to the floor, it will have to
be heat stripped. After stripping, the floors should be
lightly sanded using a block or palm sander. When sanding,
care must be taken not to wear down character-defining
texture, ridges, and irregularities. If the final, raw
floor is in good condition, it should be left unfinished as
it was originally. If glue and paint removal was not
entirely successful, the floor should be painted. Neither
of the non-original floor colors is particularly appealing
in terms of its relationship to the color of the stained
woodwork. The best approach would be to choose a paint
color of the same hue as the stain, with a darker or lighter
value.
Little of the existing stage at the front of the
auditorium is original. When it was widened, plywood
decking was installed on either side of the original stage.
The installation of the baptismal further altered the stage
by cutting trap doors into it. In spite of these
alterations, the current stage size meets contemporary needs
71
better than the original would have.
The solution is to maintain the stage at its current
size, and at the same time recognize its original dimensions
by the placement of floor boards. First the floorboards of
the original stage must be repaired (accommodating the trap
doors). Then the plywood decking on the additions should be
replaced with tongue and groove boards which match the
originals. The boards on the additions should run
perpendicular to the direction of the boards on the original
stage (blocking may have to be added between stage joists to
accomplish this). In this manner, the original stage
dimensions are defined, while the larger, more practical
size is maintained.
The carpeting, which covers the entire floor, absorbs a
good deal of noise. Returning to the original wood floor
will make the auditorium louder--as it would have sounded
historically. The historic photograph of the interior
(Figure 33) reveals that there were carpets on the stage
historically. Exposure of the original floor could show
that there were also runners in the aisle. It would make
sense to return to these historically accurate practices.
Interior Wall and Ceiling Surface Issues
Most restoration problems on the interior of the
building concern wall and ceiling surfaces. The essential
72
tasks are repapering, partitions removal, and the cleaning
of woodwork.
Wall and Ceiling Papers
Demolition of the drop ceiling and wall paneling,
rewiring, insulating, roof structure reinforcement, and
repapering all must occur as a single phase. Most of these
issues are discussed in their appropriate sections. The
first problem is to find wall and border papers which match
or approximate the originals. 10 Ideally, a reproduction
paper of the period will be used. Color, pattern, and
texture are the important issues in choosing a paper.
Demolition of the drop ceiling and its structure will
require the relocation of lighting wires. Once the papered
ceiling is exposed, the locations of original light fixtures
may be evident, along with the shape and dimension of
medallions, if any. The historic photograph of the interior
(Figure 33) illustrates that at least that light closest to
the front of the auditorium was located to the east of the
building's central axis. Locating the lights here
accommodated the original stove pipe, which ran along the
central axis to the hung chimney above the proscenium. The
original lighting locations should be restored. They
illustrate well the juxtaposition of modern electricity and
ancient wood heat at the turn of the century. Fixtures, in
73
particular, are discussed in the Electrical Issues section.
When the paneling in the auditorium and entrance
vestibule is removed, look again for any historical
evidence. Record or preserve such clues as the project
continues. Once all historic wall and ceiling surfaces are
visible, a decision will have do be made as to how to
proceed. If the wallpaper is tight and relatively smooth,
the new paper can be pasted right on top of the old. For
example, new wallpaper can easily be installed over the
current paper layers in the apse. If the paper no longer
adheres to the walls, as has occurred at the ceiling of the
auditorium, the best avenue is to remove the old paper,
reshrink the netting, and paste the new paper onto the
original netting. 11 This option would be appropriate, as
some netting has been shown to have a lace pattern, which
may actually be old clothing. There is another
consideration, however. If the Foundation chooses to
insulate the building, at least half of the walls must be
stripped to the boards (see Insulation Issues section), in
which case the original paper and netting would be totally
lost.
Regardless of the approach taken by the Foundation,
repapering presents a good opportunity to illustrate the
evolution of the building's interior. Somewhere on the
south interior wall, where no paper has been removed, a
section of each paper layer should be peeled away using a
74
steam iron. The three paper surfaces can be glassed over
and dated according to their historic period. Such an
illustration of the progression of wall surfaces can be a
useful educational tool.
Woodwork
The stained and lacquered woodwork on the church's
interior needs only a good cleaning with a cleanser such as
Murphy's Oil Soap, and then a waxing.
Partitions
Removal of the doors and plywood sheets at the entrance
opening can occur at any time. The same elements at the
proscenium can be dismantled only after the propane furnace
in the apse is removed. Care must be taken not to damage
casings or jambs during partition removal--there should be
no pry bar marks. Nail holes can be filled with putty,
stained, and lacquered.
Heating Issues
While a new heating system for the building is not
necessarily a high priority in the restoration, a number of
more important measures depend upon it. The sill below the
75
apse cannot be patched until current duct work is removed.
And as mentioned above, the partition in the proscenium
cannot be dismantled, . nor can the apse be repapered, until
the propane furnace is removed.
The goal in the installation of new mechanics in an
historic building is to make them as unobtrusive as
possible. The current propane heater circumstance does not
achieve this goal. Whatever type is chosen, the new furnace
should be installed in the non-original baptismal. Most
units could fit in the space, and it would be easily
accessible for maintenance. It may also be possible to
reuse the existing duct work and registers, with only a
minor reroute to the new furnace location. In this manner,
the new furnace would not be visible in the church or on the
site.
Should the Foundation choose to install a heat pump,
the interior unit can be installed in the baptismal as
described above. The outside unit should be located
somewhere near the northeast corner of the lot--away from
most sight lines of the church. The unit can be further
camouflaged with historic plantings.
The control panel for the heater should be located at
the south end of the east interior wall of the apse, blocked
from the view of the auditorium.
76
Electrical Issues
Electrical concerns during the restoration involve not
only rewiring, but also outlet location, lighting fixtures,
clocks, and smoke detectors. An electrician can be
contracted to establish whether the electrical needs of the
restored church can be met by the existing wattage, and to
do the following work.
Light Fixtures
As mentioned in the Interior Wall and Ceiling Surface
Issues section, ceiling fixtures should be returned to their
original locations during repapering. The most difficult
aspect of this task will be finding appropriate fixtures to
install. The historic photograph of the interior (Figure
33) shows an original light fixture. An architectural
salvage shop or lighting reproduction company may be able to
find similarly styled fixtures. 12 If similar fixtures
cannot be found, fixtures which are at least of the same
period, and are visually compatible with the interior, can
be used. Such fixtures should not be fancier than the
originals.
The fixture in the entrance vestibule should match
those in the auditorium. The current fixture in the apse,
relocated to the ceiling, is sufficient. Lighting control
77
panels should be located in the entrance vestibule, and in
the apse at the heat control panel. The lights should be
dimmable. While probably not original in the church,
dimmable lights were possible historically, 13 and they
allow for versatile use of the space today.
Electrical Outlets
Because the restored church building will be used for a
variety of purposes, additional electrical outlets will be
needed. outlets should be located in the floor near walls,
and with cover plates. such location affects historic
integrity minimally, and, given the open floor joists in the
crawlspace, makes the outlets easy to install. Do not
install outlets in baseboards, or other areas where
integrity might be more seriously affected. To accommodate
diverse uses such as concerts or exhibitions, two outlets
should be installed at each wall, and one each in the
entrance vestibule and apse.
Belfry Clocks
Installation of clocks in the belfry will requiring
scaffolding. A clock making company can custom design
clocks according to historic photographs, or provide a stock
face which is similar in character to the originals. 14
78
There is also the chance that the original clocks are in
storage somewhere, in which case they could be restored.
Smoke Detectors
Because the church building will be vacant a great deal
of the time, a smoke detecting system should be installed
which will automatically alert the Fire Department.
Insulation Issues
Retrofitting an historic building with insulation
presents a number of concerns. Because old buildings are
not, and were never, tight, modern energy efficiency is
almost impossible. In addition, insulation affects the
ventilation and breathing of a structure. In some cases,
such ventilation has been a key to the longevity of an old
building. Considering Eastern Oregon's climate, however,
retrofitting the church with insulation probably poses less
risk than in damper areas of the state.
The difficulty, then, is how to insulate. The floor
and ceiling already have rolled fiberglass insulation. The
east and north walls of the building can be easily insulated
by blowing the material in from the attic (wall cavities are
empty from sill to top plate). To contain the fluff, such a
project would have to occur after the walls are repapered,
79
and after blocking was installed between studs in the
crawlspace. Wall spaces below windows could be insulated by
pushing rolled insulation up into the wall cavities from the
crawlspace.
The south and west walls pose more complex insulating
problems. Wind and rain come from the southwest, and unlike
the north and east walls, moisture is apt to penetrate
these. The result would be that blown-in insulation would
get wet. The only practical alternative, then, is to remove
the interior wall boards, and install rolled insulation with
a vapor barrier between the studs. The 6 11 wide wall cavity
would allow for a standard 4 11 layer of instilation, and a 2 11
dead air space between the insulation and the exterior
siding.
What makes this option problematic is that it requires
the total destruction of the original wallpaper and netting.
Even then, it may still be difficult to insulate below the
wainscot. Therefore, unless the paper on these walls is in
particularly bad condition, the best option may be not to
insulate the south and west walls at all. Blown-in
insulation in the opposite walls will at least stop cross-
drafts.
The ceiling joists of the entrance vestibule can be
insulated with rolled fiberglass after all the debris has
been cleaned out from between them. Do not drill plug holes
in siding anywhere to insulate.
80
Phases of Restoration Work
The order of tasks which will ultimately result in the
complete restoration of the church depends primarily on
funding, and secondarily, on the importance of the work to
the overall conservation of the building. This section of
the restoration plan breaks the project down into phases.
An attempt has been made to deal with conservation issues in
an order that makes each phase financially manageable.
Priority progresses from highly significant elements in high
risk circumstances, to less significant elements in fairly
good condition. Flow charts route the order of tasks in
each phase.
Phase One
Phase One is the upper entrance tower restoration
(Figure 63). Most shingles on the spire, intermediate roof,
and entrance hood are in poor condition. These roofs are at
once a critical part of the weather envelope and a very
significant character-defining feature. In addition, such a
visual first step in the restoration project will capture a
great deal of community attention.
81
Phase Two
Phase Two involves the installation of a new heating
unit, and subsequent repair of the foundation wall and sill
(Figure 64). This phase will be less glamorous than the
first, but it will make the building more useable and
structurally stable. In addition, the removal of the
propane heater means that the partition in the proscenium
can be dismantled--a visual improvement on the interior.
Phase Three and Phase Four
Phase Three and Phase Four are the respective
restorations of the south and west exterior elevations
(Figures 65 and 66). These measures will make a important
visual impact on Main Street.
Phase Five and Phase Six
Phase Five will completely restore the interior of the
building, and Phase Six will stabilize the roof structure
(Figures 67 and 68). These will be expensive measures, yet
they must occur in combination. These phases, perhaps more
than any others, should increase the use of the church. The
only reason it does not happen sooner is that the interior
is presently in such good physical condition.
82
Phase Seven
Phase Seven is the insulation of the north and east
walls (Figure 69). This phase will be fairly inexpensive,
and can occur only after the repapering of the interior.
Phase Eight
Phase Eight completes the exterior restoration (Figure
70); This time, the north and east walls are repaired and
painted, along with chimney repairs. The north and east
walls are in very good physical condition, and they are not
directly visible from the streets. Accordingly, they can
wait for restoration.
Conclusion
The preceding recommendations illustrate the care
necessary in appropriately restoring the First Christian
Advent Church building. The project will involve some tasks
which will require extensive skill, such as the milling of
ornament and reshingling the tower roofs. Some other tasks,
like the painting of interior wood elements, will require
just good common sense. It is important that whatever the
task, the laborer is genuinely knowledgeable of his or her
work. It is worth the trouble to acquire the literature
83
suggested in the notes at the end of the chapter, and to
discuss pertinent issues with the various professional
entities which disseminate preservation information. The
result will be a well-informed, methodical, and accurate
approach to the restoration of the church.
84
Notes
1. The definition is derived from The Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for
the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings (Gary L. Humes and
Kay D. Weeks, Washington D. c.: Preservation Services
Division, National Park Service, u. s. Department of the
Interior, 1983), 7.
2. Oregon State Historic Preservation Office
State Parks and Recreation
525 Trade Street, s. E.
Salem, Oregon 97310
(503) 378-5019
Historic Preservation League of Oregon
P. o. Box 40053
Portland, Oregon 97240
(503) 243-1923
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Western Regional Office
One Sutter Street
Suite 707
San Francisco, California 94104
(415) 956-0610
National Park Service
Pacific Northwest Regional Office
601 4th and Pike Building
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 399-5565
Another good source for technical information is
Old House Journal
935 9th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11215
(718) 636-4514
3. See
Carole L. Perrault, "Techniques Employed at the North
Atlantic Historic Preservation Center for the Sampling and
Analysis of Historic Architectural Paints and Finishes,"The
Bulletin of the Association for Preservation Technology,
April 1978, 6-46.
Matthew J. Mosca, "Historic Paint Research: Determining the
Original Colors," Old House Journal, April 1981, 81-83.
85
4. See
Kay D. Weeks and David w. Look, Preservation Brief 10:
Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork (Washington
D. C.: Technical Preservation Services, Preservation
Assistance Division, National Park Service, u. s. Department
of the Interior, 1982).
Alan O'Bright, "Exterior Woodwork #2: Paint Removal From
Historic Siding" (Washington D. c.: National Park Service,
U. s. Department of the Interior, 1980,) Preservation Tech
Notes.
5. See
Anne E. Grimmer, Keeping It Clean: Removing Exterior Dirt.
Paint. Stains. and Graffiti from Historic Masonry Buildings
(Washington D. c.: Technical Preservation Services,
Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, U. s.
Department of the Interior, 1988).
6. Gregg Olson, interview by author, Eugene, Oregon,
October 22, 1991.
7. "Church Record of the John Day Valley Seventh-day
Adventist Church," yol. 3, p. 73, 13 March 13, 1985.
8. See
Robert c. Mack, de Teel Patterson Tiller and James Askins,
Preservation Briefs 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic
Brick Buildings (Washington D. c.: Technical Preservation
Services Division, Heritage Conservation and Recreation
Service, u. s. Department of the Interior, 1980).
9. Possible brand names to look for are "Liquid Wood"
and "Woodepox".
10. A color photograph or an actual sample of the papers
could be mailed to the wallpaper companies below, or others,
and they could look in their collections for appropriate
approximations.
Victorian Interiors
575 Hayes Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 431-7191
Gary Yuschalk and Larkin G. Mayo
Mt. Diablo Handprints
473 East Channel Road
Benecia, California 94510
86
• (707) 745-3388 11. See
Catherine Lynn Frangiamore, Wallpapers in Historic
Preservation (Washington D. c.: Office of Archeology and
Historic Preservation, National Park Service, Department of
the Interior, 1977).
Linda Whitehead, "Hanging Wallpaper with Netting," Old House
Journal, Sept./Oct. 1991, 41-45.
12. A copy of the historic photograph could be sent to
salvage companies throughout the country to see if any have
similar fixtures. Possible sources include
Rejuvenation House Parts
901-B North Skidmore
Portland, Oregon 97217
(503) 249-0774
Architectural Salvage Cooperative
909 West 3rd Street
Davenport, Iowa 52802
(319) 324-1556
(319) 324-4398
For an abridged listing of architectural salvage companies in
the U. S . , see
J. Randall Cotton and Matt Schultz, "Architectural Salvage to
the Rescue," Old House Journal, March/April 1991, 28-39.
13. Kevin L. Krause, Electric Incandescent Lighting in
Residential Interiors: Hardware and Systems. 1890-1910
(M. s. thesis, University of Oregon, 1984) 19.
14. One possible source for reproduction clocks is
Electric Time Company, Inc.
45 West Street
Medfield, Massachusetts 02052
(508) 359-4396
I
87
CHAPTER VI
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The documentation and restoration plan for the First
Christian Advent Church building are complete. With these
tools, along with the vigilance of the Historic Preservation
Foundation, the conservation of the building will be well-
guided. There are, however, a number of other issues
significant in owning this historic property which must be
addressed. While these issues extend beyond the scope of
the thesis, they do require mention. Technical
considerations are building maintentance, site restoration,
and management. Further research into the life and career
of Samuel Bayliss Hope is also warranted.
Maintenance
Maintenance is an integral part of the conservation of
I
88
an historic building. Some maintenance is simply the common
sense care one would take with any valued property. Other
maintenance issues are more specific. The following is a
simplified listing of some of the concerns to be aware of in
taking care of the church. As always, prevention is cheaper
than repair.
1. Cover the broken window sills, particularly during
the winter months, until they can be repaired.
2. Make sure that the space between the propane tank
and the east wall of the apse is kept free of debris until
the tank can be removed.
3. Before and after restoration, monitor foundation
walls for settlement, and mortar joints for disintegration.
4. Keep cats .and other animals out from underneath the
building by keeping the new crawl space door closed.
5. Until exterior walls can be repainted, they need to
be monitored so that no emergency situations concerning the
ornament arise. After repainting and restoration, the walls
should continue to be watched to ensure the effectiveness of
the paint.
6. Keep all window sills, before and after
restoration, free of debris.
7. Do not allow the lawn sprinkler system to spray the
building.
8. When walls appear particularly dirty, they can be
•
89
washed using a garden hose and soft brushes. Sunny, warm
days are a good time to wash, as the water will dry quickly.
9. Clean and wax interior woodwork regularly.
10. Keep shades pulled when the building is not in use.
This measure will protect the woodwork and new wallpaper
from ultra-violet light degradation.
11. Continually make sure that the smoke detector is in
working order.
Site Restoration
After the restoration of the building has been tackled,
attention should turn to the site. Indeed, an accurate
historical interpretation of the church cannot be complete
until the site, too, is restored. An historic landscape
preservation consultant could develop a restoration plan.
Such a plan would include historic plantings, a picket fence
designed after that in the historic photograph (Figure 2),
and some general recommendations regarding exterior
alterations to the parsonage and garage.
currently it is clear that the coniferous plantings
near the front of the site should be removed. Most
deciduous plantings, such as the lilacs and the mock orange,
add to the historical value of the site. Any additions or
alterations to the exteriors of the parsonage or the garage
90
building (which could provide good opportunity for expanded
usage of the church) should be sympathetic to the original
buildings and to the site. Another issue is signage.
Currently, a series of signs bound the front of the lot,
detracting from the view of the church. If at all possible,
such signs should be moved, or at least more subtly
displayed. Historical signage should not be attached
directly to any buildings, as is currently the case.
A restored church yard can easily make the whole site
more inviting. The yard could be used somewhat like a
public historical park, where people could relax or picnic.
Management
The bottom line concerning the John Day Church is
management and fund-raising. This is another area where the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, the Historic
Preservation League of Oregon, and the National Trust for
Historic Preservation can be of help. Some management
issues to consider are the need for restrooms, expanding the
uses of the church, and increasing public awareness.
To make the church a truly viable choice for weddings
and other such functions, restrooms and other facilities
must be available. An addition to the church itself is
inappropriate. If an addition were added to the rear of the
91
building, it would be inaccessible during any performance.
An addition to the west elevation could not help but be an
eyesore. Any way it is approached, an addition to the
church building itself would seriously affect historical
integrity.
A very practical alternative, then, is to put restrooms
in the parsonage or even in the garage. Both of these
buildings have already been significantly altered. Restroom
construction could be part of an interior renovation or part
of a sympathetic addition to the rear of the parsonage.
Whatever the solution, making restrooms and other functional
spaces available could vastly expand the use of the church
building.
Expanding the uses of the building is a good approach
to fund-raising and to building community awareness. The
more the church is used, the more it will become a part of
the community identity. People will realize that the
building is useful as a public spaqe for residents, and as a
tourist attraction. A simple step toward capturing
attention is to renew the ringing of the church bell every
day at noon.
During the summer months, the church could be opening
to visitors--if just for a glimpse inside. Better yet, an
exhibit could be designed illustrating Grant County history,
along with recreational and cultural opportunities. such an
92
exhibit could be made to break down easily to accommodate
other uses of the space. There should be boxes at the doors
where people could make tax-deductible contributions toward
the restoration of the building.
Further Research
This study has lead me to believe that Samuel Bayliss
Hope is surely among the most significant historic builders
in Grant County, and possibly beyond. The church, and the
Danby and Trowbridge Houses exhibit remarkable ingenuity and
craftsmanship.
For these reasons, further research into Hope's life,
career, and buildings, should occur. With such information,
Hope's impact and influence can be more accurately
evaluated.
Conclusion
To consider historic preservation a luxury is a
misguided notion. Historic preservation is a means by which
to conserve building materials, enhance a sense of place,
and improve the quality of life. The First Christian Advent
Church building is a very meaningful representation of
craftsmanship and historic building technology unique to
93
John Day. Equally important, the building has played a
essential role in the social and religious history of the
town. As it is restored, the church's place in the civic
lives of present and future citizens will continue. The
John Day Historic Preservation Foundation has already become
a very significant part of the building's history.
Indeed, the First Christian Advent Church is important.
It is important historically and architecturally. It is
important as a part of John Day's identity, and as a
functional space for community use. The restoration of the
church will take a lot of work and time, and the results
will be worth it.
94
FIGURES
95
Figure 1. The Trowbridge House. John Day, Oregon.
96
FIGURE 2. The First Christian Advent Church, John Day,
Oregon. 28 January 1900. Source: Historic
Preservation Foundation of John Day.
97
FIGURE 3. Detail: The First Christian Advent Church, John
Day, Oregon. 28 January 1990. Samuel Bayliss
Hope is the short man with the white beard.
Source: Historic Preservation Foundation of John
Day.
98
FIGURE 4. Advent Christian Church. Colombus (Maryhill),
Washington. Built in 1888. Source: Louise Lyon.
I
99
[ n ;;. 13, . Verge-Board J
FIGURE 5. Vergeboards with a serpentine motif by A. J.
Downing. From The Architecture of Country Houses
(New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1969) 310.
100
FIGURE 6. Vergeboards with a serpentine motif by Samuel
Sloan . From Sloan's Victorian Buildings (New
York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1980) 67.
101
FIGURE 7. First Christian Advent Church. John Day, Oregon.
Looking northeast.
----------------
SITE PLAN t:Jt:11:HHl~Hrnl SCALE I'= 1/IZ"
·i . - '
7 1/P
11 =:1r 11' I
i
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PLAN
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f;JESIS v~oJlt T 1
OP, AD V ATE Vlto i,R AM IN TH E FI~ST ; ~I f E T CHRISTIAN ADVENT CHURCH I OF 1 HII TO IUt P ~ES ER'/ATIOH
11NIVE1Uln OF O'-EOO H I ~~ I 1C I WEST MhlN nREET JOHN DAY GR ANT COVNTY OKCf,ON SHEETS
FIGURE 8. Site and floor plan drawings. No scale. Drawing f->
does not show deflection. 0 I\)
103
FIGURE 9. House on the church site. Looking northeast.
FIGURE 10. Garage building on the church site. Looking
southeast.
104
..
FIGURE 11. Foundation Wall. Entrance tower east elevation.
FIGURE 12. Foundation wall. North end of east elevation.
►
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FIGURE 19. South elevation drawing. No scale. Drawing I-'
does not show deflection. I-' I-'
112
FIGURE 20. South Elevation.
113
FIGURE 21. Frieze moldings. South elevation.
FIGURE 22. Plinths of entrance door pilasters. South
elevation.
114
FIGURE 23. Capitals of entrance pilasters. south
elevation.
115
FIGURE 24. Entrance hood bracket. South elevation.
116
FIGURE 25. Intermediate bellcast roof of entrance tower.
East elevation.
117
FIGURE 26. Belfry. East elevation.
118
FIGURE 27. Spire, ~ooking northwest.
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WEST ELEVATION
HAWN tY T\MOrl-l'i NETStH ta 0 ta ta SCALE : I'= 1/4"
T!-iE S iS PR OJEC T
GRAVV ATE fRO~RAM I N THE FIRST CHRISTIAN ADVENT CHURCH $ II f ~ 1" 3 0 F 7
KISTORIC, PIU,I E~ IIATION
t/ N l V E I'.\ I TY OF O~ f GO N I~ ~ l HI WEST MAltl STl!-EtT JOH N DAY Gil. ANT C,OVNT'( 011- EGOIJ SHfEfS
FIGURE 28. West elevation drawing. No scale. Drawing does I-'
not show deflection. I-'
\.0
O'(AWN iY f\MOfllY NETStH SCALE : I'= 1/4"
1f1ESIS ?R OJ~C T
GR ~VVATE ri..ot,R ~t,.I IN THE 5 II F t 1" FIRST CHRISTIAN ADVENT CHURCH 3 0 f 1
~IITOR.lt PREIE1.'II\TION
1/NIVERIIT'(OFH. EGON 1q q1 HI WEST MAIi-/ STl1.E H JOHN DAY GR ANT tOVNT'( OREGOII
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FI GURE 28. West elevation drawing. No scale. Drawing does t-'
not show deflection. t-' I.O
120
FIGURE 29. West Elevation.
121
FIGURE 30. Window. Entrance tower west elevation.
C. 10'
0' O"
$CALE : I'= I /4"
DRAWN gy TIMOHl'i \.IETStH
THE S IS PROJEtT S H E E T
GIUDV~TE rRo~RAM IN THE FIRST CH RIS TIA N ADVENT CHURC H 4 0 F 1
HII T ORIC PRE$ERI/ AT1 0t-l
1.~I WEST MAIN STR.EET JOHN D~'/ GR ANT COVNTY OKE'C,ON ~HEE TS
VNIV ER. Sln or 01!.EGO\.I '"~'
FIGURE 31. North elevation drawing. No scale . Drawing I-' I\)
does not show deflection. I\)
123
FIGURE 32. North Elevation.
FIGURE 33. Interior north elevation. Mary Groves, Pastor. 1912.
Note light in apse, wall and border papers, polychrome proscenium,
off-center lighting fixture, and rugs on stage. Source: Edna Planner.
J
--=-·--1· - --= i-------------··
~lllllilllilll '--- -- . 77 _ ........ __ ~ u .....~ ..-.;.. ._ -· - ...~
c--· ---- 111111-- ----------E~:3---- ---·-- ··- - -
· - 11 1111--- - -- - -- - ... - 111
~.
=.11_=_=_= id~1 I -_i - ',J ' I ;' 1,1, ,, I,, !,~ ,,/, )~.be,~, II ;, \r,/,.+. , ..~ . -.~-.--_--•-----.~~1! \ .\ I,:,I II ;I
EAST ELEVAflON
, RAWN B'( TIM OfH'i NETHti 0 0 0 0 ~CALE : I' = I /4"
THESIS PROJfCT
G~AUVATE IRO~KAM IN THE F[RST CHRIST[AN ADVENT CHURCH 5 H E f T 5 O F l
ll I I T o R I t P R f S E R VA TI ON
Vll lVE F- SIT'( OF O1!. EGQN 1q~ I HIWESTMAlt-lST~EP JOHNP ~'/ r,R u-Jr COUNT'/ O~EGO t-1 SHE ET S
FIGURE 34. East elevation drawing. No scale. Drawing does
not show deflection. ~ N
V1
126
•
FIGURE 35. Window. East interior elevation, entrance
vestibule.
127
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