Architectural Inventory Form

Transcription

1 OAHP 1403 Rev. 9/98 COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY Page 1 of 5 Official Eligibility Determination (OAHP Use Only) Date Initials Determined Eligibile-NR Determined Not Eligible-NR Determined Eligibile-SR Determined Not Eligible-SR Need Data Contributes to Eligibile NR District Noncontributing to Eligibile NR District I. IDENTIFICATION 1. Resource Number: 5EP County: El Paso 4. City: Colorado Springs Parcel Number: SHF Grant Number: CO Historic Building Name: Grace Church & St. Stephen's Church 6. Current Building Name: Grace Church & St. Stephen's Church/St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School 7. Building Address: 631 N. Tejon St. (south building) 8. Owner Name and Address: GRACE CHURCH & ST STEPHENS & MCWILLIAMS H, 631 N TEJON ST, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO II. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 9. P.M. 6th Township 14S Range 66W SE 1/4 SE 1/4 NE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Section UTM Reference Zone 13 Easting Northing USGS Quad Name: Colorado Springs, Colo. Year: 1961 (revised 1994) Map Scale: 7.5' 12. Lot (s): LOTS 1, 2, N 50 FT OF LOT 3 Block(s): 22 Addition: ADD 1 COLO SPGS Year of Addition: Boundary Description and Justification: Boundary includes the building and the parcel on which it is located. III. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION 14. Building Plan (footprint, shape): T-Shaped 15. Dimensions in Feet: Length 171 X Width Stories: Primary External Wall Material(s) (enter no more than two): Stone/Rhyolite Stucco 18. Roof Configuration (enter no more than one): Gabled/Cross Gabled 19. Primary External Roof Material (enter no more than one): Stone/Slate 20. Special Features (enter all that apply): Stained Glass, Dormer, Oriel, Finial, Tower, Porch, Chimney, Fence 21. General Architectural Description: Large stone church consisting of three components erected at different times, including an 1895 gable roof rectangular wing to the north, an intersecting east-west basilican form component with tower erected in 1925, and a two-story rectangular wing to the south built in The oldest component of the church (the original St. Stephen's Church) is described on a separate form (5EP4590). The 1925 church has walls of broken field, coursed, rock-faced rhyolite with a granite foundation and granite trim, and a steeply pitched gabled roof with shaped parapets and slate roofing. This component of the church has a cruciform plan, with transepts and with onestory lean-to projections along the east-west nave. The building is attached to the older church at that building's

2 Page 2 of 5 southwest corner. There is a modern glazed atrium at the east end of the 1925 component between the 1895 church and the 1949 wing. On the north side, from the east end of the 1925 component (which has a cross at the top of the east wall) to the tower is a two-story flat roof bay with pointed arch stained glass windows and buttresses on the upper story. The 90' tower is topped by projecting octagonal pinnacles at the corners. The crocketed pinnacles sit atop octagonal piers with paneled crenellated cornice between the piers. There is projecting molding at the tops and base of the piers. Narrow, smooth granite pilasters divide each wall of the tower, projecting into the crenellated cornice. There are tall, narrow, pointed arch windows with quatrefoil ornaments at the top and louvers. Below the louvered openings is arcading, with slender engaged columns and a narrow vertical window. There is a center, pointed arch entrance on the north wall of the tower with granite surround, double paneled doors with stained glass transom, and lanterns flanking the entrance. A niche above the entrance features the statue of a robed figure holding a book. There is a shed roof one-story projection (with pointed arch stained glass windows divided by stepped buttresses with angled tops) along the north wall extending from the tower to a one-story flat roof entrance bay with lancet window on west and pointed arch entrance on north with double paneled doors and stained glass transom. There are projecting buttresses at each end of the bay with angled tops and there is a small lancet window on the north wall of the main wing above the entrance bay. The west gable end has a shaped parapet topped by a cross finial. The wall is dominated by an immense pointed arch stained glass window with smooth granite surround and Perpendicular tracery. There is a narrow louvered vent at the top of the wall above the window and projecting stepped buttresses with angled tops enframing the gable. At the southwest corner is a flat roof entrance bay with a pointed arch entrance with double paneled doors and transom. East of the entrance bay on the south wall is a one-story lean-to projection like the one on the north, with pointed arch stained glass windows and stepped buttresses. The projecting gabled transept has a large pointed arch stained glass window on the upper wall and a rectangular window below. There is a pointed arch entrance on the west wall of the projecting gable. The bay beyond the gable has narrow lancet windows. At two-story Tudor Revival style wing (1949) is connected at the southeast corner. The rectangular wing has a side gable roof with intersecting gable at the south end and a gabled oriel window at the north end. The wing has a slate roof and slightly overhanging eaves. The walls of the second story have stucco and half-timbering and flare outward above the lower story and have brackets along the overhang. The first story is rock-faced stone, and there is a stone water table and raised stone foundation with basement level windows. The oriel window on the north end has flared eaves, decorative verge boards, and a pendant. There are three lattice windows on the upper story and brackets at the base of the oriel. The oriel projects above the Tudor arch entrance with double paneled and glazed doors flanked by lanterns. Between the oriel window and the cross-gable are paired 6/6-light windows on each story. The projecting gable at the south end has a broad, steeply pitched gable with three 6/6-light windows on the second story. The first story has off-center double paneled and glazed doors facing steps with metal pipe railings. 22. Architectural Style/Building Type: Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Collegiate Gothic 23. Landscaping or Special Setting Features: On northwest is a courtyard enclosed by a stone and wrought iron fence, which has small trees, bushes, and flowers, red-tinted sidewalks, and benches. Fountain in courtyard with statue of figure with animals. On the southwest is an open field enclosed with a wrought iron fence and there is a parking lot at the south end. 24. Associated Buildings, Features, or Objects: None IV. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY 25. Date of Construction: Estimate Actual Source of Information: Cornerstone and Newspaper Articles (see below) 26. Architect: E. Donald Robb of Frohman, Robb & Little of Boston Source of Information: Messinger & Rust, Builder/Contractor: Unknown Source of Information:

3 Page 3 of Original Owner: Grace and St. Stephen's Church Source of Information: Cornerstone 29. Construction History (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): The original component of this church was the north wing erected in 1895 (described on a separate form). The east-west component was erected in The south wing was added about Original Location: Yes Date of Moves: V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 31. Original Use(s): Religion/Religious Facility/Church 32. Intermediate Use(s): Religion/Religious Facility/Church 33. Current Use(s): Religion/Religious Facility/Church 34. Site Type(s): Church 35. Historical Background: The first Episcopal service in Colorado Springs was held in Foote's Hall by Rev. Samuel Edwards, Rector of St. Peter's Church in Pueblo, for 60 to 70 people on 13 January In 1873 a church organized and erected Grace Church on lots donated by General Palmer at Pike's Peak and Weber. The stone building was completed in Originally founded by members who withdrew from Grace Church, St. Stephen's Church was established in 1893 and first known as Trinity Union Church. The first services of the group were held in the sample room of the Antlers Hotel and later in the Congregational Church on Bijou, with Reverend A.B. Nichols leading the program. In 1893 Reverend Philip Washburn became rector, serving until J.J. Hagerman donated lots at Monument and Tejon to the church in 1894 and the cornerstone of a new chapel was laid the same year. St. Stephen's could not afford to erect a big church, so they built a chapel seating 250 people. Thomas MacLaren, architect for the building, noted that the church was planned so it could be converted into a twostory parish house and Sunday School, "as evidenced by the double tier of windows." MacLaren had just moved to the city hoping to cure his consumption. The building was two stories, with a sacristy, a guild room, a choir room, a Sunday School, and a kitchen. The building was set back on the lot so that eventually an addition could be built on the front. The $15,000 building was dedicated on 29 August Rev. Arthur N. Taft became rector of the church in In 1917 the house and lot adjacent the church on the south were purchased. The idea of combining the congregations of Grace Church and St. Stephen's was discussed for several years, but not until 1922 was it publicly presented for the consideration of the members of the two churches. Rev. Chauncey H. Blodgett of Grace Church and Rev. Arthur N. Taft of St. Stephen's worked out a reunification plan and suggested that the combined congregations could have "one good sized church building of simple but beautiful interior." On 19 December 1923 the new parish legally formed, with Reverend Taft as rector and Reverend Blodgett as corector. The merger of the two congregations occurred when the new building was completed. In May 1924 the cornerstone of the new church was laid with a special service and musical program. The church choir was augmented by other singers and a brass choir was used in addition to a portable organ for the program. The design of the building was undertaken by E. Donald Robb, of the Boston firm of Frohman, Robb & Little. That firm also designed the National Episcopal Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Episcopal Cathedral in Baltimore, and Trinity Chapel in Hartford, Connecticut. The church building committee specified that an English Gothic Revival style be employed. The church, with the addition of the tower, cost $300,000. The plans incorporated the old St. Stephens as a northern wing of the church, becoming the Parish Hall, and creating an L-shaped building. The congregation didn't have enough money to pay for the soaring tower, so a fundraising fete was held at the City Auditorium in December 1925 to pay for that part of the church. The congregation hoped to raise $5,000 at the fete, but the community provided $8,000. The first service in the new Grace Church was held on 10 October The building was consecrated, with the mortgage paid, in The church was especially known for its musical programs. In 1927 Dr. Frederick Boothroyd became the organist for the church. He was influential in organizing the Colorado Springs Symphony the following year and served as its conductor. Alice Bemis Taylor donated the organ for the church in 1927 in memory of her late husband, Frederick Taylor. She also endowed a trust for concerts held in the church.

4 Page 4 of 5 In 1948 Grace Church began a campaign to raise $55,000 to construct an addition for a chapel for kindergarten and primary students, as well as classrooms and recreation rooms. The addition had been designed by Colorado Springs architect Edward Bunts two years previously, but its construction had been delayed due to costs. Initial plans were to build the first story of the wing and add a second story when funds permitted. A 1962 photograph shows the building as it looks today. At that time, the wing was leased to house the Colorado Springs School, an independent college preparatory day school for girls. 36. Sources of Information: Jean Messigner and Mary Jane Rust, Where Thy Glory Dwells (Manitou Springs: TextPros, 1998), 8-15; Manley D. and Eleanor R. Ormes, The Book of Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs: Dentan Printing Co., 1933), 199; Gazette, 1 January 1891; 24 May 1925, 1, 2 May 1948, 6; El Paso County Assessor records; Pike's Peak Library District, Special Collections, Photographs, Grace Episcopal Church, A-6328-CN and A-6349-CN, Photo by Stanley Payne, 1962; Colorado Springs City Directories; Colorado Historical Society, Architectural Historical Component Form, Grace Episcopal Church, 5EP635.2; M.E. Burgess, E.H. Hylbom, R.H. Shaw, Pike's Peak Region Landmarks Council, Inventory,, in Pike's Peak Library District, Local History Collection; Judith Finley, comp., The Century Chest Letters of 1901 (Colorado Springs: Colorado College, 2001), 93; Leland Feitz, "The Church of England in Little London," Silhouette, 2 January 1972, 4; Thomas J. Noel, Buildings of Colorado (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), 296. VI. SIGNIFICANCE 37. Local Landmark Designation: No Date of Designation: N/A Designating Authority: N/A 38. Applicable National Register Criteria: A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of our history; B. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; X C. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or D. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to history or prehistory. A Qualifies under Criteria Considerations A through G (See Manual). Does not meet any of the above National Register criteria. 39. Area(s) of Significance: Architecture 40. Period of Significance: Level of Significance: State 42. Statement of Significance: Grace Episcopal Church has roots stretching to the beginnings of Colorado Springs, having been founded in Two congregations, Grace Church and St. Stephen's Church, merged to from the present congregation. St. Stephen's erected the north wing of the present building in 1895, a stone church with plans for expansion to the south was designed by Colorado Springs architect Thomas MacLaren. The two congregations merged to erect a larger building, which was completed in E. Donald Robb of the Boston architectural firm of Frohman, Robb & Little designed the building in a style known as Late English Gothic or Collegiate Gothic. Representative features of the style include monumental proportions, battlement towers, arched entrances, and a plentitude of windows. A Tudor Revival style wing was completed following World War II. Colorado Springs historians of church architecture, Jean Messigner and Mary Jane Rust state that "Grace's landmark tower is truly one of the treasures of the downtown area Back in the 1920s few communities of similar size could boast such architectural achievements." In Buildings of Colorado, Tom Noel described the church as "one of Colorado's finest rhyolite structures." 43. Assessment of Historic Physical Integrity Related to Significance: This building displays excellent historic physical integrity. VII. NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT 47. National Register Field Eligibility Assessment: Eligible 48. Is there National Register district potential? Discuss. Unknown The Grace Church complex is potentially eligible to the National Register for its architecture. Whether there is a larger eligible district is unknown. There are historic houses in the area which might combine with the church to form a district. A reconnaissance or intensive level survey should be conducted to determine the potential for a

5 Page 5 of 5 district. If there is NRHP district potential, indicate contributing status: N/A 49. If the building is in an existing NRHP district, indicate contributing status: N/A VIII. RECORDING INFORMATION 50. Photographic Reference(s): 11: 7A-16A; 38: Negatives Filed At: Colorado Springs Planning Photographer: R. Whitacre/T. Simmons 51. Report Title: Historical and Architectural Survey of Downtown Colorado Springs, Date(s): Oct Mar Recorder(s): R.L. Simmons/T.H. Simmons 54. Organization: Front Range Research Associates, Inc. 55. Address: 3635 W. 46th Ave., Denver, CO Phone Number(s): (303) NOTE: Please attach a sketch map, a photocopy of the USGS quad map indicating the resource's location, and photographs. Colorado Historical Society-Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation 1300 Broadway, Denver, Colorado (303)