Located in: Columbus, Indiana

First Christian Church is a National Historic Landmark designed by famed Finnish- American architect Eliel Saarinen, in collaboration with his son, Eero Saarinen in 1942.

Often cited as the first modern style church in the United States, it is the project that also gave rise to the commitment of the community of Columbus, Indiana to become a mecca of modern architecture through the largess of a local benefactor, industrialist, J. Irwin Miller. Its rectangular form and simple lines, punctuated by a 166-foot clock tower, have become an iconic symbol of the city.

The church is well cared for by an active congregation, but the tower was suffering from deterioration of the masonry until the community and the congregation joined forces to launch a restoration campaign in 2021, coordinated by the Landmark Columbus Foundation.

The Jeffris Foundation’s commitment of a $500,000 capital campaign challenge grant was instrumental in raising the necessary funds. The project was completed in 2024. Today the tower stands proud as the defining element of the Columbus skyline.

Photo credit: Hadley Fruits for Landmark Columbus Foundation