Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan

Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan

The building's exterior in 2009
Location 700 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis, Oregon
Coordinates 44°33′52″N 123°15′54″W / 44.56444°N 123.26500°W / 44.56444; -123.26500Coordinates: 44°33′52″N 123°15′54″W / 44.56444°N 123.26500°W / 44.56444; -123.26500
Area 0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built 1889 (1889)
Architectural style Gothic, Vernacular Gothic
NRHP Reference # 71000677[1]
Added to NRHP September 10, 1971

The former home of the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, constructed in 1889 in Corvallis, Oregon, is a gothic-style religious assembly hall that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Converted to secular use after the congregation moved to a new facility in 1961, the building now houses the Corvallis Arts Center, established in 1962.

Corvallis Arts Center

Establishment

The Corvallis Arts Center was created by the Corvallis Arts Council, established in September 1961 with a view to establishing a showplace for the visual arts.[2] Chair pro tem of the group was Marion Gathercoal at the time of its formation.[2] About 20 people participated in the establishment of the group during its first month of existence.[2] Gathercoal was later formally elected as the group's first president by the membership of the council.[3]

The Corvallis Arts Council was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in March 1962.[4] It gained access to the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan on loan from the Corvallis chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks late in 1962 and immediately set about fundraising to pay for a remodeling of the interior of the hall, including new paint, carpeting, and furnishings.[3] Additional funds were generated through the sale of $10 "patronages" to interested community members.[3]

The grand opening of the Corvallis Arts Center took place on the weekend of January 26-27, 1963.[5] Those displaying their works during the opening included graphic artist Junichiro Sekino (1914-1988) of Tokyo as well as a host of staff from the Art Department of Oregon State University.[5] Local art groups the Corvallis Weavers Guild and the Clay Clan and other craftspeople were on hand to demonstrate techniques, and a series of musical performances were provided.[5] Over 7,000 people from around Oregon visited the center during its grand opening weekend.[6]

While the original lease of the building from the Corvallis Elks Club was a nominal $1 per year, maintenance and utility costs for the facility were pegged at approximately $15,000 per annum by the group's pro bono attorney, Robert Mix.[7] Owing to the expense of the operation, as early as 1963 suggestions were made to place the facility under the umbrella of the Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department.[7]

The site of the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan was initially planned to be used as the location for a new temple for the Corvallis Elks Lodge,[8] but another location was eventually found and the Arts Center has remained in uninterrupted occupation of the facility for more than half a century.

Corvallis Arts Center today

The Corvallis Arts Center's stated mission includes the conducting of an array of "diverse exhibitions and cultural events" and the provision of outreach and educational services to the local community relating to the arts.[9] The center provides an ongoing series of art classes and camps, with a particular focus on the needs of at-risk youth.[10] More than a dozen teaching artists working in a range of mediums conduct classes, exhibits, and demonstrations in connection with the center's work.[11]

NRHP listing

The 1889 building's survival was insured with its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in September 1971.[12]

Episcopal congregation today

The current home of the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan is at 333 NW 35th St. in Corvallis.[13] The new facility of the group was consecrated in 1961.

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 "Corvallis Arts Council is Formally Organized in City," Corvallis Gazette-Times, Oct. 17, 1961, pg. 11.
  3. 1 2 3 "Big Arts Sale Tabbed Success by 1000 Guests," Corvallis Gazette-Times, Dec. 4, 1962, pg. 7.
  4. ↑ "Incorporation Filed by Four Groups," Corvallis Gazette-Times, March 8, 1962, pg. 19.
  5. 1 2 3 "Corvallis Art Center Opening This Weekend," Oregon Statesman [Salem], Jan. 24, 1963, pg. 8.
  6. ↑ "7,000 Visit New Arts Center," Corvallis Gazette-Times, Jan. 28, 1963, pg. 2.
  7. 1 2 "Library Land," Corvallis Gazette-Times, May 14, 1963, pg. 2.
  8. ↑ "A Boon to Local Artists, Too," Corvallis Gazette-Times, Nov. 7, 1963, pg. 16.
  9. ↑ "About the Arts Center," Corvallis Arts Center, www.theartscenter.net/, version of Nov. 15, 2015..
  10. ↑ "Classes, Camps, Art Ed," Corvallis Arts Center, www.theartscenter.net/, version of Nov. 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Education Artists," Corvallis Arts Center, www.theartscenter.net/, retrieved May 27, 2016.
  12. ↑ Oregon National Register List. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, June 6, 2011, pg. 1.
  13. ↑ "Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan," www.goodsamchurch-episcopal.org/, retrieved May 26, 2016.

Further reading

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