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Address

379 N Campus Avenue
Upland, CA 91786

Architect

Robert H. Orr

Evaluation

Building
5/3/2007

Construction Date

1925

Current Owner

Christ New Life Ministries Inc.

Current Owner Address

8408 Sierra ave
Upland, CA 91786

Description

The Gothic Revival provided the stylistic framework for this two-story- plus basement church. Of brick construction the building sits on a concrete basement and is topped by a gabled roof. In the southeast corner a square bell tower is three stories tall and is crowned by a paneled parapet. The central bay of the east elevation contains the entry and is the focal point of the design. Scored cast concrete which resembles rusticated stone surrounds the entry which is recessed beneath a Gothic arch. The double wooden doors have stained glass insets and are spanned by a transom also glazed with stained glass. Above four corbels a triptych of stained glass is capped by a squared label molding. Similar moldings also top the topmost openings in the bell tower. Narrow windows with painted arch heads are located in the upper level side bays. Other facade windows are flat-headed, single and paired casements with stained glass.

The First Mennonite Church of Upland was organized with 18 members on January 4, 1903. Initially, the congregation met in member's homes in Cucamonga and Upland, and later used a hall in the Sourwine Building (now demolished) on Eighth Street and Second Avenue. In 1906 a frame church was erected on 6th Avenue at Washington Boulevard. The growth of the church kept pace with the neighborhood, which was largely subdivided between 1905 and 1908. In face, many of the families that built or moved into homes nearby were church members, including the family of the first pastor, Michael Horsch, the Mehls, the Harms, and Hauryls. By 1918 membership in the congregation had swelled to 188. A decision was taken in 1919 to build a new church and a committee was selected.

Similar openings are located on the side elevations, accompanied by laniet windows, which illuminate the aisles. The church appears to be substantially unaltered, a rather massive landmark of the neighborhood for sixty-five years. 19. SIGNIFICANCE AND EVALUATION: Funds were raised and two lots on Campus Avenue were purchased in 1924 for $1200. Construction began early in 1925, and the building was dedicated on November 15, 1925. The total cost of the new church was $31,450.00. Judging on the basis of both architectural and historical criteria, the Mennonite Church has played a highly significant role in Upland's past. In a 1963 (revised 1984) history of the church, the architect credited was "Mr. Orr." Presumably this refers to Robert H. Orr, who had a distinguished career in Southern California and specialized in churches. The Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona (1911) and the Bethel Congregational Church in Ontario (1912) are two of his earliest documented commissions. In 1913 he designed the boulder stone Pitzer House in Claremont for the influential educator. Other buildings credited to Orr include the Wells Fargo Bank in Azusa (1918); the Hollywood Christian Church (1922); the Wilshire Boulevard Christian Church (Los Angeles; 1922-23) and the Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist (Los Angeles, 1924-27). Orr's design for the Mennonite Church is the finest example of the religious architecture in Upland from the period. As has been indicated the church historically has had a pivotal part in the history of the community. Historically associated with several influential citizens, a catalyst for the development of the neighborhood, and a prominent local landmark, the church is one of five remaining historic church buildings in Upland. It is still in use today.