The original "core" of this stately Parthenon-like structure was built in the early 1890's. The Sanborn Fire Insurance maps from 1895 describe it as serving the role of "Parish House, Episcopal Church." Indeed, it was built for St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Tour Site #1), and in its earliest years, was used as a Meeting House for Church members to gather.
Meanwhile, there are documented activities of a growing Christian Science movement in LaPorte as early as the 1890's. In 1899, the first public Christian Science lecture was given by Judge William G. Ewing, of the Mother Church in Boston. By 1900, meetings were being held at the Unitarian Church (today's Trinity Lutheran) at 907 Michigan Ave.. The 1904 city directory indicates Christian Science Sunday services at 10:30am "in their new church rooms, 2nd floor, Odd Fellows Building." Finally, in 1905, Articles of Association were formally executed, and the church was legally incorporated. Founding members included such luminaries as Arthur Lay, Mrs. O.P. Ludlow Jr., Emma and Mrs. Mary Lonn, and Mr. and Mrs. Hobart M. Cable.
The Christian Scientists continued to meet at the Odd Fellows Building for a few more years until finally, with further growth, members decided to seek their own church building. 1008 Michigan Avenue was purchased from the Unitarians* in 1908 (who had themselves bought the building from St. Paul's just a few years earlier), Christian Science services were begun, and the building was dubbed the "First Church of Christ Scientist" for the next 80+ years.
In 1920, with the congregation flourishing, the building was significantly expanded, seating capacity wasdoubled, and exterior changes were made in the Colonial Revival style, so popular in the early 20th century. The changes gave the building a more "modern" look, while maintaining the classical influences of the original structure. These changes include replacing beveled wood siding with composition siding, and the addition of architectural elements such as the front doors with fanlight above, the half-round window with keystone detail in the pediment, and the art glass windows throughout. The expanded structure is believed to have been designed by noted local architect George Wood Allen, as there is an entry for a "Christian Science Church" in his personal list of blueprints.
The Church remained vibrant for a number of decades thereafter. Unfortunately, in more recent times, aperiod of decline set in, and membership had dwindled to less than 15 by 1991. Formal dissolution occurred that year, the building was sold back to St. Paul's Episcopal, and the proceeds were donated to the Michigan City Christian Science Church, which a number of the remaining members joined. Still, to this day, evidence of 1008 Michigan's previous history exists; if you carefully look along the building's entablature, you can faintly see the "First Church of Christ Scientist" lettering, which has since been painted over.
Since 1991, St. Paul's had leased out the building to various Churches and fellowships, but periods of occupancy had been short, as the cavernous structure, albeit grand, is expensive to heat. The structure has been vacant for the last few years, and threatened with demolition, as St. Paul's was in a quandary as to what to do with it. PEP stepped in and offered its assistance, seeking to help find an appropriate lessee for the building, and even offering to purchase the building outright at one point. While the offer was declined, St. Paul's has since decided to save the building and return it to use.
A renovation plan has been drawn up by Community Preservation Specialist (and one time PBS television house restoration "guru") Bob Yapp, of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. Mr. Yapp conducted a successful "Window Restoration College" this past summer, which began the important process of bringing the building up to a more modern level of energy efficiency, while providing St. Paul's the necessary training to allow it to complete the windows using its own, or other volunteer, labor.
Fulfillment of the renovation plan requires meeting the goal of raising $80,000, of which approximately 10% has been raised to date. PEP already donated to help fund the initial restoration plan, and has also committed to donating 10% of the net proceeds of this year's Candlelight Tour to the project. The Church isseeking to raise money on a "pay as you go basis," as it is unable to dip into normal operating revenues to fund the project. With this in mind, a continuous flow of contributions (whether cash, in-kind, or in the form of volunteer labor) is important to keeping the project moving along. PEP is pleased to be able to provide this chance for tour attendees to view the renovation of this magnificent building, in its nascency. Anyone looking for specific opportunities to contribute or assist, potentially interested in occupying the space, or looking for more information generally, may contact PEP, or better yet, Mr. Paul Boardman, the project coordinator for St. Paul's, at (219) 325-8053.
*Interestingly, the Unitarians appear to have never formally occupied 1008 Michigan under their short ownership period, as all traces of Unitarian Church meetings "disappeared" from city directories from 1904 onward. (The Unitarians sold their old church at 907 Michigan to the "Friends" Church in 1903, presumably with the initial intent to move into the just purchased 1008 Michigan. For unknown reasons, that never happened.)