Portland’s First Congregational Church is a gem from outside or inside…and I only found it by accident while heading for the nearby Oregon History museum. Glad I did!
The 175-foot white-tipped tower was the first grabber. Despite obvious differences, it reminded me of the campanile in Saint Mark’s square in Venice. In the end, not too surprising, because the Swiss architect, Henry Hefty, worked in a style referred to as Venetian Gothic. The church took 6 years to build, opening in 1895, just up the hill from downtown, and opposite a park.
Inside and upstairs, the sanctuary area is quiet in color and restrained in detail, except on the organ pipes. Just sitting there for a few minutes felt restful.
But the real treasure is the stained glass, commissioned by the congregation in 1906 from Portland’s Povey Brothers Studio, known in its day as the ‘Tiffany of the West (although many fans of their work all over the Northwest, would rank them above. The clearness of line, the vibrant colors, and the delicate shading kept me there for more than a short time.
Below the sanctuary are more areas with meeting and classrooms, including areas where art exhibits are presented. This one is gone now, but it was fascinating.
