Iconic Columbus Church Placed On State Endangered Places List

The church is known by some in the Columbus community as “the oil-can” for its unique shape.(Joe Hren/WFIU-WTIU News)
 

A National Historic Landmark in Columbus is now on the state’s list of most endangered places.

Indiana Landmarks named North Christian Church on its annual 10 Most Endangered list this week.

The church is six-sided with a spire that reaches almost 200 feet tall. Architect Eero Saarinen designed the building in the early 1960s, and Dan Kiley landscaped the almost 14 acres of land the church sits on.

North Christian Church minister Tonja Gerardy says the issue isn’t that the church is in disrepair, but their declining congregation might not be able to keep up with building in the future.

“Over the past couple years it has become apparent that we need some help,” she says. “We need a partner, or partners, to help us to raise to the funds to be able to do that in order to upkeep this building.”

Gerardy says the congregation has also looked into other possible cost-saving solutions.

St. Joseph’s College, the Muncie Fieldhouse and Marion National Bank building are among the other 10 spaces on the list.

The church also features a Holtkamp organ. (Joe Hren/WFIU-WTIU News)