West Side Spiritualist Church

2019 Most Endangered Buildings

Year Built: 1912
Address: 79 McDowell Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Original Building Use: Church
Owner: City of Columbus

The West Side Spiritualist Church in Franklinton features two asymmetrical westwork towers between a gable-front with an arched window opening that contains a rose window and stone tracery. An entrance is located at each tower. The exterior walls consist of 8” load-bearing concrete masonry units with a 4” masonry veneer. A 1974 cornerstone that replaced the original cornerstone reads “Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church”. The Church survived the Great Flood of 1913 and more than 400 people took refuge there and were rescued from its sanctuary.
Why is this Site Endangered?
The East Franklinton Review Board voted to approve demolition of the Church in February to clear the site for Homeport’s plan for a 50-unit affordable housing building. Conditions of approval include receipt of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (application is pending); approval of new building design; and Section 106 Review.

Photos by Orbit Design & Richard Burry

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