First Church of Christ, Scientist

Title of Building: First Church of Christ, Scientist
Address: 326 W. Charles Street
Year Built: 1929
Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
National Register: Old West End Historic District; NR # 86002721; Listed 9/22/1986.

Christian Scientists arrived in Muncie in the late 19th century, and it only took a few years for the congregation to gain a following large enough to require a dedicated building. In 1912, the congregation purchased a lot containing an existing boarding house. They remodeled the building with the help of architect Cuno Kibele and dedicated it as a house of worship. After 15 years, the congregation grew large enough to need a new, purpose-built, church.[1] They contracted designer George Ewing of The Indiana Limestone Company to erect this building.[2] The structure, planned to seat 600, is composed of creamy white Bedford stone, cut into ashlar-style irregular blocks.[3] While this building is no longer a place of worship, it has been adaptively reused to serve the community as apartments.

[1] Scott, Kathleen. 2003. “Album of Yesteryear.” The Star Press, June 15, 2003.

[2] “New Church to Be Erected.” Muncie Evening Press, March 27, 1929.

[3] “Work Progressing on New Church.” Muncie Evening Press, August 10, 1929; “Church Permit Entered Here.” Muncie Evening Press, April 3, 1929.