Seventh Day Adventist Church

345 Mapleton Avenue/ James M. Hunter architect/ Rustic Modern/ built 1949

Consider how innovative this church’s design was when it opened in 1949! The original entrance was a two-story wall of gridded wood panels (today a wall of glass) framed in limestone and sandstone. The slender bell tower is capped with an abstract expression of the holy trinity. The side walls have alternating vertical bands of sandstone and stained-glass windows, solidly supported on a concrete base. Inside, the sanctuary has soaring laminated wood columns and beams that span the width of the large space.

The addition of a small chapel to the west was done in a contrasting Modern design approach that is angular and expressive as opposed to the rectilinear and calm main building. This was designed by an unknown architect, possibly Hobart Wagener.