Join Cincinnati Preservation Association at the Porch in Washington Park to hear about the stories that the historic buildings of Cincinnati tell in our new series called Preservation in the Park.

Grab a drink from the bar, sit back and let us tell you a story. 

First Tuesday of the month at 7pm on the Porch at 1230 Elm Street 

à     August 2, 2022- “The Little Theater That Saved Memorial Hall” by William Bauman

à     September 6, 2022- “Cincinnati Music Hall: Why Details Matter” by Thea Tjepkema

à     October 4, 2022- “Findlay Market: 170 Years” by Corporation for Findlay Market

 

             Presented by Cincinnati Preservation Association

              Sponsored by 3CDC

 

by Beth Johnson

“A large 4-story yellow hexagon on the side of a hill on a wooded lot overlooking a creek” is how I provide a quick description of my house when I first describe it to someone. After I get a look marked with confusion and intrigue, I often explain that this was the house and studio of Benjamin Dombar, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. He designed the home in the organic architecture style that he was taught from his time with Wright.

Throughout the house there are elements and influences from the midcentury modern style that was the prominent style of his practice. Buildings such as the Runnels House, Leiter House, and the Specklin House embody Dombar’s grasp of the mid-century Modern ideal, while remaining true to his foundations in organic architecture. (Modernnati has more examples of Ben Dombar’s work.) However, his own personal house was a celebration and an experiment in the values that Frank Lloyd Wright instilled in him during his apprenticeship.

When I first set eyes on the Dombar House and Studio and walked through the threshold, I didn’t yet know the history of the house, or of Ben Dombar, but I knew there was something amazingly special about this house. Upon deciding to pursue purchasing and rehabbing the house, I did what any good architectural historian and preservationist would do: I researched everything I could about Ben, his work and the house. I quickly discovered how important the house was to the Dombar legacy, and also to the community. The house embodied Dombar’s creativity, his devotion to his education under Wright, his inventive spirit, and his dedication to making his buildings functionally beautiful. While just looking at the house, I knew that it was architecturally unique, once the history behind the house was revealed to me, I also knew that the entirety of the house needed to be celebrated and honored.

The National Register of Historic Places was largely created for this exact purpose. The National Register is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. It was authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources.

I knew as soon as I began planning for the rehabilitation of the property, that I would want to list this on the National Register of Historic Places and wanted to do as sympathetic of a rehabilitation as possible to maintain the integrity of the building, in order to help facilitate this listing.

The rehabilitation was completed in early 2018, the year the building turned 50 years old and could finally qualify for the designation. (You can see some interior photos in a story about the home in Cincinnati Magazine.) I started the process by sending in a National Register Questionnaire, a 2-page form that asks some basic and preliminary questions about the building to vet its potential eligibility for listing, to the Ohio History Connection, the State of Ohio’s Historic Preservation Office, to get a determination on the potential eligibility of the house.

After the review and confirmation that the Benjamin Dombar House and Studio was eligible, I began my deep dive into research. Using the National Register Bulletins and examples of other recently nominated modern era buildings, I built a framework for discussing and analyzing the history and significance of the house.

As each nomination is tailored to the history and significance of the individual building, each nomination needs to be tailored to the topics that support the significance of the building. For the Benjamin Dombar House and Studio, that included writing a detailed architectural description of the house, the history of the development of the Organic Architectural style and the style specifically in Cincinnati, as well as a discussion of Benjamin Dombar, his practice and specifically how this house fits into the context of the Organic Style and his overall practice.

As this was a personal project, I worked on it over weekends and evenings outside of my job as a historic preservationist. It took me about 3 months to fully research and write the nomination. Once I had the nomination submitted to the SHPO, it took approximately a year for it to go through the process to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

There is no fee to submit the nomination, but costs that may be incurred would be to contract with a consultant to write the nomination, as well as mapping and photography. These fees can vary depending on the site size, number of resources (buildings, structures, objects, etc.), the available research existing on the house and topics of significance, and location.

For example, with the Benjamin Dombar House and Studio, one of the main elements of significance were its association with Ben Dombar and its unique organic architecture. As there are no other organic architecture buildings listed in Cincinnati and no other Ben Dombar Houses listed in the National Register of Historic Places to reference, I was tasked with researching and writing the context and history of both of those topics to provide a basis to evaluate the significance.

This burden of research would not be required for someone who owns a house by Samuel Hannaford, for example, as his practice has been well studied and documented within the National Register, so a new nomination for a building designed by Samuel Hannaford would have the privilege of using the extant research for a justification of significance.

As the Benjamin Dombar House and Studio nomination involved a building in a style that is not common and by an architect whose work is just coming of age for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places, the need for a greater basis of justification, research and documentation made the nomination open for more detailed evaluation. Luckily, as there had been very few alterations to the property except for some interior material changes, and the floor plans had remained unchanged, the property retained the high level of architectural and material integrity that is often needed for a building being nominated under the “architecture” category. Again, as each nomination focuses on the specifics of why that property or district is significant, the level of integrity is evaluated with a balance of other considerations, including its history, sense of place, and rarity.

As a professional Historic Preservationist, my life has been about saving and honoring historic buildings. With this particular building, I was able to save it from vacancy and foreclosure, and to rehabilitate and restore it to the intentions and designs of the architect and homeowner, Ben Dombar. While this building doesn’t have any local protections or designation on it, being able to list it in the National Register was a step I could take to recognize and celebrate the history of the building and its architect once it was saved from the immediate threat that vacancy and foreclosure had put on the house.

As this was also the first building by Ben Dombar to be listed, this specific nomination also helps to provide a basis and context for other Ben Dombar-designed buildings to be apply to be listed. Another important aspect of the property being listed is its protection, and the consideration of any future projects or expansions of the transportation network that surrounds this property. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires that, anytime Federal funds are used, that the effect of historic resources is taken into account, and that there should be an attempt to avoid adverse impacts on those historic resources. As the Ben Dombar House and Studio is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the building has been established to be historic. This review is referred to as the Section 106 review process.

The documentation, celebration, recognition and protection through the Section 106 process are all important aspects and reasons to list a property in the National Register of Historic Places. However, through this whole process, I have realized that perhaps the most important reason has been the greater appreciation, pride and connection with my house and with the work of Ben Dombar that has rooted me in calling this house my home.

Beth Johnson is the incoming Executive Director of the Cincinnati Preservation Association. Read more about her appointment here.

by Karli Wood
photos courtesy of Spring Grove Cemetery image archive

When you’re hosting an out-of-town visitor and want to impress them, where do you go? A Reds game? Union Terminal? The Cincinnati Art Museum?

The first place that always comes to my mind is Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum. The most common reaction I get is a raised eyebrow with the response, “A cemetery?!”

But Spring Grove is so much more. This veritable “museum without walls,” tells the story of Cincinnati – and is where many of its most influential citizens reside.

In the mid-1800s, Cincinnati experienced an aggressive cholera outbreak. Local cemeteries were unequipped to handle the influx of deaths, leaving them crowded and unkempt.

Spring Grove was founded as the antithesis of this. The rolling, picturesque landscape became a destination for residents wanting to get away from bustling city life. With walking paths, stone bridges, islands, and wooded areas, Spring Grove was – and still is – its own Elysian Fields within Cincinnati.

Famed landscape architect Adolph Strauch had a huge part in making Spring Grove a peaceful haven. Strauch implemented a principle called the “lawn plan,” encouraging families to have one central large memorial, surrounded by footstones.

As mentioned, many of Cincinnati’s elite rest at Spring Grove – and as you walk through the cemetery, you can gain a sense of funerary history and customs. It’s like a journey back in time, giving you a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary people.

Let’s explore a few iconic monuments and traditions that you can use as a scavenger hunt on your next visit:

FAMOUS MONUMENTS

Fleischmann Temple – Modeled after the Parthenon in Greece, this Doric temple is best-viewed from across the lake, where you can see it against the trees. It was built for the Fleischmann family – of Fleischmann yeast. The temple features a stained-glass portrayal of the Three Fates.

Dexter Mausoleum – The most iconic memorial in Spring Grove, the Dexter Mausoleum is often compared to Notre Dame, even though it’s modeled after Paris’ Sainte-Chapelle. The Dexter family were “bourbon barons,” in their time. The mausoleum features flying buttresses, spires, and 36 marble catacombs. Its construction would cost approximately $1.7 million in today’s money. Despite its grandeur, the mausoleum was never finished due to financial reasons. It was originally meant to feature an elevator and stained glass, which were never installed.

Charles West – An important figure in the founding of the Cincinnati Art Museum, Charles West is one of only a few life size statues in Spring Grove. The striking memorial shows West sitting in repose. The foundation of his memorial is flanked by caryatids of the four major aspects of the arts: architecture, sculpture, painting, and music.

Robinson Mausoleum – The Robinson family-owned Robinson’s Circus and made a lasting impact on the city. It was said that you could see their famed elephant Tillie plowing the field near their Terrace Park home. The Robinson’s have a number of circus family and staff buried in Spring Grove. This rough-hewn mausoleum features statues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

FUNERARY TRENDS

Use of Marble – It’s rare that marble is used today in monuments and headstones due to its tendency to erode over time. A beautiful example of a marble monument is the Burnet Mausoleum. Senator Jacob Burnet and his family are interred in this unique monument. It is built into a hillside and the facade is Italian marble. Over time, it settled, sealing the doors permanently. The mausoleum originally had three steps, but only two are now visible.

Iconography – Iconography has evolved in cemeteries over time. A wonderful and pristine example of iconography is the McDonald mausoleum. It was built for Alexander McDonald, who was an investor in oil, banking and also served as the director of the Big Four Railroad. The doors of the mausoleum feature multiple bas relief symbols, including a winged heart and flame, a dove, a lamp, and an open book.

Statues – On a walk-through Spring Grove, you will see a large array of statues – everything from angels, busts, lions, a sphinx, and even a mermaid. It wasn’t uncommon to feature a statue of a woman in mourning: leaning on headstones or sitting on top of monuments. A fantastic hidden treasure of sculpture is the Gerrard mausoleum. Stephen Gerrard was an inventor known for creating the first refrigerated produce truck. If you walk up to the doors of this mausoleum and peer inside, you will find four marble statues depicting the four seasons.

Perpetual Care – An interesting and often unknown aspect of the cemetery is the idea of perpetual care. When a burial right is purchased, it is considered private property. This means that many of the mausoleums and monuments at Spring Grove are expected to be maintained by the families. The Huenefeld mausoleum is an example of perpetual care, a former option where the family purchased the ability for Spring Grove to maintain the mausoleum over time. This included pressure washing and resealing. The Huenefeld mausoleum remains in outstanding condition. There are rare exceptions where Spring Grove will intervene in the care of a monument. An extreme example was when the cemetery shored up the Dexter mausoleum when it began sliding backward toward the lake.

While the historic sections of Spring Grove serve as a time capsule starting in 1845, this cemetery is still very much an evolving landscape. It features over 700 acres and is still active and serving the local community.

The next time you’re itching to discover a unique locale with a friend, choose Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum. Despite its evolution of 177 years, it has maintained its status as a destination for reflection, escape, and relaxation. It’s far more than a cemetery – it’s a place of connection and a celebration of life.

Karli Wood is a volunteer with the Spring Grove Cemetery Docent Program. The mission of the Docent Program is to provide tours and programs focusing on art, history, architecture and horticulture. Through increasing the knowledge, excitement, and understanding of our visitors, the docents can enable the continued stewardship and cultural contributions of Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum.

Spring Grove’s tour season runs April through October. All public tours can be found in the events section of the website, and registration opens 30 days before each tour/event. Private tours are also offered, and those can be walking or tram, historical or horticultural. Please direct all tour queries to Ruth Reck at 513-853-4941 or rreck@springgrove.org.

Spring Grove also offers a free walking tour app! These self-guided tours start at the Customer Service Center near the entrance at 4521 Spring Grove Ave. and offer 3 options: History and Heritage (3-hour moderate 4-mile hike), Iconography (1.5-hour moderate 1-mile hike) and Stately Trees of the Grove (1-hour light 1.2-mile hike). Available for iPhone or Android.

Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) is pleased to welcome Deqah Hussein-Wetzel as our part time historic preservation researcher.

Deqah is a first-generation Somali-American originally from Erie, PA. After receiving a degree in in urban planning from the University of Cincinnati, she joined AmeriCorps and then went on to study at the University of Oregon where she was awarded a masters in historic preservation and a certificate in nonprofit management. She also interned at CPA while in grad school. “I’m obsessed with mid-century history as it’s not commonly told,” says Deqah.

“As a preservationist and planner, I try not to get lost in the aesthetics of mid-century modern architecture without questioning the foundation in which white wealth, suburbanization, highways, and public housing were built upon. Even when I was still a student in planning, I always questioned the social implications of urban renewal and wondered how gentrification is any different. I was never beguiled by the allure of interstate highways. I firmly believe their existence overshadowed–or (more nerd-appropriately) created a Harry Potter cloak of invisibility shroud over–the neighborhoods that it cut in half.”

Deqah has worked as a cultural resource management consultant and in state government with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. She has also completed a myriad of National Register of Historic Places/Local Landmark nominations, Historic Tax Credit projects, surveys and inventories, as well as created interpretive panels, including historic markers, throughout Cincinnati.

“Some of the most recognizable regional and statewide projects I’ve worked include Historic Tax Credit projects for the Rabbit Hash General Store and mixed-use buildings in the Over-the-Rhine Historic District, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office’s Ohio Modern: Preserving our Recent Past Cleveland
and Cuyahoga County historic survey and historic report, and the history interpretation panels for the Lick Run Greenway,” she says.

Within the past few years, Deqah incorporated podcasting into her historic preservation and planning work, creating an urban history podcast titled Urban Roots. She co-hosts the podcast with Vanessa
Quirk, a cities journalist and podcaster based in New York City.

What lit the spark for her to start the podcast was a combination of confusion, frustration and inspiration.

“As a preservationist, I conduct a ton of archival research, and in newspapers,” she explains. “For example, I would come across immensely horrific stories on lynchings and riots — but I would also find
impressive stories about strong black women who’ve done some super important things that some people have never even heard of. For example, during the nineteenth century, Sarah Fossett was the
reason we had streetcar integration in Cincinnati. It upset me knowing these stories of black women, black history, and black culture are not traditionally taught in schools. And, because podcasts are becoming a powerful education and public history tool, I thought, ‘what better way for preservation and planning to be more accessible and inclusive.’”

In addition to the podcast, Deqah started a preservation media nonprofit called Urbanist Media. The organization’s mission is to help modernize the field by using digital media and podcasts to facilitate oral history archival preservation.

As part of CPA’s staff, Deqah will focus on CPA’s Initiative to Preserve Sites of Black History in Cincinnati. This project seeks to increase awareness and preservation of sites and structures which tell the story of the Black experience in Cincinnati.

“I’ll be working on helping preserve and recognize historically significant African American properties and places of Black culture in Cincinnati,” Deqah says. “To start, I’ll be connecting with majority Black communities, speaking with local Black leaders, and conducting historic surveys to help prioritize the buildings, objects, structures, and sites that need National Register of Historic Places/Local Landmark nominations.”

“Simultaneously, I’ll be doing the public history groundwork to make sure the stories of these communities are accurately told, which will go beyond the traditional methods of creating historic
markers,” she continues. “Because I want to make sure that our local Black voices are heard in a publicly accessible way, collaboration with local artists and organizations will also be integral to the success of the work I do at CPA.”

Deqah lives in Fairview (part of CUF) and spends her spare time glassblowing and glass fusing. She studied glass at the Art Academy and took a work study job in the glass shop at the University of Oregon Craft Center to learn kiln-fused glass, something she now does with her basement kiln.

Deqah says she is looking forwarding to working once again with everyone at CPA and connecting with minority communities at the ground-level to understand the preservation needs of their neighborhoods.

“Driving through Cincinnati today, it’s hard to not see that majority Black communities have been ignored to such an extent that historically significant properties are being subjected to demolition by neglect, or, perhaps worse, gentrification,” she notes. “All that said, my biggest influence in continuing this work is knowing that by joining CPA, with the help of the staff, we can start preserving and recognizing African American history as we should be throughout the country.”

There is Still a Chance to Save First Lutheran Bell Tower!August 26, 2021 

Two recent developments have created an opportunity to avert the planned demolition of the historic First Lutheran Church (FLC) bell tower.  The church recently submitted a second engineering approach to Cincinnati building officials to see if a non-seismic repair it would meet the building code requirements.  The answer was yes and that opened the door for a simpler repair with costs that are at or below the funds available.  The leadership of FLC considered the new option and their obligations for public safety.  They conclude that, based on the need to resolve the risks promptly, the responsible course was to continue with the demolition plan.  We respect their thoughtful consideration of their responsibilities and their long stewardship of the historic church.  With a second report in hand and city acknowledgment that it meets the building code, we urge reconsideration.

The second new development is the outpouring of public support and encouragement that First Lutheran is receiving.  It is an unprecedented response and a reflection of how much the community values the iconic bell tower.  The messages that the church is receiving show that they are not alone in their stewardship of this historic landmark.  Cincinnati Preservation Association is working with many foundations, organizations and the public to increase the funding to save the bell tower on Washington Park.   

We are optimistic that the new repair approach and outpouring of public support and funding can provide First Lutheran Church with a path forward to saving the bell tower.  What is needed is a little time to confirm the cost of the second approach. Check back  here for updates.

First Lutheran Church Bell Tower: A Request for Consideration of an Alternative Approach 08/21/2021

Despite strong community support and significant fundraising success, the cost of the original project to repair the bell tower and add seismic foundations is greater than available funding.  First Lutheran Church, faced with an emergency hazard order from the City of Cincinnati, recently and reluctantly, entered into a demolition contract for the iconic bell tower.  This was a difficult step for the church which has been a responsible steward of the 1895 Crapsey and Brown historic building.  The Church’s stewardship of the historic structure has been exceptional and includes a recent façade restoration of $1.3 million.  This was funded completely within their small congregation.

The church has received two engineering reports, an initial one by their engineering firm that includes recommendations for seismic retrofitting and a second report from a different firm which  outlines a different approach to the repairs.  At the urging of community advocates the leadership of First Lutheran Church recently submitted a both engineering reports to the City of Cincinnati building officials for evaluation. 

The response letter from Arthur Dahlberg, Director of Buildings and Inspections, acknowledged both approaches could potentially work and noted the competence and professional of both firms.  He states that:

“…it is important to recognize that both firms are highly respected and have continuously delivered code compliant solutions for various projects.    Second it is important to understand that the criteria defined by the building code should be viewed as the baseline for design. Designs that incorporate higher safety factors are not wrong, rather they are in excess of the code requirements.”

I can affirm Mr. Dahlberg’s statement that the firms are highly respected and deliver code compliant solutions based on my decades of experience.  Throughout the First Lutheran project, THP engineers have been open to dialogue.  They have been clear in pointing out that their professional opinion is based in other factors than the building code, that they have formed their recommendations that the additional bracing and deep foundation work is needed because they view these as essential to ensure public safety. It is their view that the risk factors result from conditions in the original construction.  They have considered this issue carefully, consulted with outside firms on the issue at our request.   The firm continues to hold a professional view that public safety is the driving factor for the inclusion of proposing work in their recommendations.  We respect that opinion.  However, in light of a second report that offers alternate path to achieve safety and code compliance, we respectfully request First Lutheran leadership to convene a meeting between the firms to explore the feasibility of the less expensive alternative.

The second engineering report proposed a reduced scope of repairs that could possibly be made without triggering the building code requirements for seismic retrofitting.  This is a standard practice and has been used on most historic buildings restorations in the area.  The city letter by Mr. Dahlberg acknowledged that, noting that if the damage to bell tower was not caused by seismic action, it is possible a design that did not include the seismic work could be in compliance with the code.  Mr. Dahlberg went on to note that:

“repair work does need to resolve the water infiltration issues and restore the structural system to conditions equivalent to those that existed during the original construction.  This includes, but not limited to, all deteriorated connections, structural elements (even as the box girder), and successful transferring of loads generated by the bell tower to the foundation.”

Both engineering approaches appear to address these conditions.  If this approach is approved, contractors are prepared to begin promptly.  Upon review of Mr. Dahlberg’s letter the Church leadership considered the reply and decided to stand by their prior decision to proceed with demolition.  They noted the hazard orders and need to address it in “short order” contained in the letter as major factors in the decision to proceed with demolition.  That work could start any day.

Since the two reports were concept statements, detailed plans would be required for a complete review.  It is assumed that this second approach is a less costly and may be within reach of funds available for the project.  We have respectfully requested that First Lutheran consider this approach prior to the start of demolition of the iconic tower.  

The First Lutheran bell tower is an important element of the Washington Park setting.  The community has sent numerous letters of support and made pledges to fund the work.  Cincinnati Preservation Association has committed significant funding along with many other foundations. The tower deserves an 11^th hour chance to remain in place for future generations to experience.

If you would like to join us in the request, please contact the church at pastorbrianflc@gmail.com with an encouraging message of support for First Lutheran’s efforts to save the bell tower.  They are in a difficult position and value the thoughts of the community.

Paul Muller, AIA, Executive Director

Cincinnati Preservation Association 8/21/2021

How can you help Save the Bell Tower?

• Please contact the church at pastorbrianflc@gmail.com with an encouraging message of support for First Lutheran’s efforts to save the bell tower.  They value the thoughts of the community.
• Donations can help! You can provide funds directly to First Lutheran Church at this link: (Donate here),
• You can also support the bell tower effort at our Revolving Fund at Cincinnati Preservation Association (Donate here)

Donate To Save the Tower at CPA Revolving Fund

Donate to Save the Tower Through CPA’s Revolving Fund

If we are not able to save the bell tower, funds donated here will be used to support the Cincinnati Preservation Revolving Fund for Historic Structures.

About the First Lutheran Church Bell Tower

The Problem: as of August 25, 2021:  The Church submitted a second engineering approach to the city to see if it could meet the buildings code.  The answer was that it could.   Despite the potential of the second approach FLC has decided to continue with the demolition of the 18855 bell tower.  

The impact of demolition would be disproportionate to the size of the bell tower as it contributes a great deal to the Washington Park setting.  The tower adds beauty and individuality to the heart of Over-the-Rhine and is an unparalleled gem of the city skyline.  Community investment in the Washington Park arts and cultural district has been substantial.  The response on a local and national level have affirmed that wisdom of caring for those historic resources.  We have very little time to avoid what would be one of our most regrettable historic resource losses.  

Stewardship by First Lutheran Church:First Lutheran has been a good steward of the building and a good partner in the effort to save the tower.  They paused signing the demolition contract in December to make time for additional engineering and an expanded search for funding.  Their longstanding commitment to stewardship of the historic structure  was demonstrated in the recent $1.4 million façade restoration, which was funded by the forty families of the congregation.    

How We Got Here: Last fall an engineering report identified damage to the tower’s steel beams and raised concern about the stability of the original tower design. The report resulted in a city building department order for immediate repair or demolition.  Public concern for the loss of the bell tower convinced First Lutheran leaders to pause the demolition plan and seek alternatives.  Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) worked with First Lutheran and committed $50,000 to the project.  Local foundations expressed support for the project and a number of individuals came forward with donations and pledges of future support.  CPA funded a more detailed engineering evaluation to seek alternatives to demolition and to establish the fundraising need.  The cost of repairs to the tower, stabilization of the structure and provision for a future elevator for ADA access was recently determined be approximately $3 million. 

The church is currently required to closed for use and, while the congregation takes its responsibility of stewardship for the historic building very seriously, there is a need to return the building to use later this year.  The design and funding teams worked to find a phased solution which could use currently available funds to reopen the facility while a longer-term fundraising effort was carried out.

 

History of First English Lutheran

First Lutheran was constructed in 1895. The architectural firm of Crapsey and Brown designed the church in the English Gothic style. Crapsey’s obituary in the Western Architect & Builder noted that he “made a specialty of church architecture, and as much as, perhaps more, than any other architect of the country, developed the institutional church building.”

First English Lutheran is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure of the Over-the-Rhine National Register Historic District. The tower itself is a simple stone mass topped with an exuberant series of copper spire caps. The design is unique and represents a high level of architectural skill. The faith community of First Lutheran has a long history of commitment to helping others and to the cause of equality. Women were granted the right to vote on parish matters in the late 19th century. Today First Lutheran continues that commitment by providing spaces for arts and community groups and by supporting many programs for people in need. Of the 22,000 people who used the building last year, 20,000 were people attending arts programs, community meetings or accessing programs for people in need.  The church values its role  as a low cost venue supporting the Washington Park arts district.

The bell tower is an important of the historic setting of Washington Park

Community Use of the Meeting and Performance Spaces

Church Serves as an Affordable Venue for Arts and Community Groups

• Ninety percent of the foot traffic at First is non-First Lutheran activity. Over 20,000 people in 2019 which could expand to 100,000 with completed restoration and staff increase.
• Type of Uses That Fill the Year:
• Recitals (many for CCM Students, SCPA cello students)
• Rehearsal space (YPCC is biggest partner, CSO musicians)
• Concerts (Queen City Concert Band, YPCC, Concert Nova, Saengerfest)
• Theater (Fringe Festival)
• Recovery support groups (Narcotics Anonymous, AA)
  Food/clothing needs support
• Affordable meeting/event space for non-profit organizations (OTRCH, Tender Mercies, SCPA)
• Community meeting/presentation space for events (OTR History Museum, NKY Chamber)
• Weddings (need not be a member, open to any tradition)
• Restrooms are always open for free public use during big Washington Park events such as BLINK, Lumenocity

The interior spaces have excellent acoustics. They host choral performances, lectures and community meetings on a regular basis. First Lutheran seeks to expand these uses with future accessibility projects.

Previous Investment in the Historic Building
The parish has spent $1.3 million on facade and interior restoration in the last few years. They received recognition for this work from the OTR Chamber of Commerce in 2019. The parish has a deep commitment to supporting disadvantaged residents of OTR and provides a number of programs as part of this mission. The building has significant accessibility challenges and as part of their commitment to welcoming the community to use the spaces, an elevator project remains a high priority. First Lutheran is open to saving the bell tower but does not have the financial means to do so nor do they have the means to do any other work. Their intent has always been to restore the tower but right now they do not have money for the tower or for the elevator project.

 

A Convergence of Ideals and Architectural Expression

 

The design represents a departure from direct replication of Gothic architecture. Its simplicity and taut surface treatments are part of a progressive movement in architecture of the late 19th century. This forward-looking approach in architecture underscores the progressive congregation that provided women with voting rights and commitment to services in English rather than German. This open-minded approach remains a defining feature of First Lutheran as it serves people of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The bell tower is a reminder to the community that, even in a prospering Over-the-Rhine, this extraordinary congregation continues its 125 years commitment to supporting and welcoming those in need.

The building expressed a point of view in 1895, it continues to articulate that message today.

The origins of First Lutheran stylistic innovations can be seen in the mid 19th century work of English architect Gilbert Scott. His High Victorian Gothic Revival buildings departed from literal reproduction of their Gothic sources. The design also has elements of Richardsonian Romanesque, a style which arrived in Cincinnati with the construction of City Hall. The tower of First Lutheran makes an enduring impression with ethereal silhouettes where his building met the sky.

The progressive nature of the design is acknowledged in the fact that it was presented as example of “Modern Styles” in the 1897 Manual of Ecclesiastical Architecture.

In noting that the design has more in common with Cincinnati’s City Hall that Gothic churches, architectural historian Walter Langsam recently called it “Richardsonian Romanesque architecture made swevlt.”

 

 

The building was recognized as a progressive departure the reflected the views of the congregants. In writing about the building in 1897 William Martin said “(First Lutheran’s building) is like those small flowers by the wayside. Their modest show hides their beauty, but when they are plucked and beheld, their beauty of form and rare coloring make them rival easily the more obtrusive flower beauties which hang in our gardens.”
Manual of Ecclesiastical Architecture,
William Wallace Martin, 1897

 

 

 

 

History of First Lutheran Church

First Lutheran was constructed in 1895. The architectural firm of Crapsey and Brown designed the church in the English Gothic style. Crapsey’s obituary in the Western Architect & Builder noted that he “made a specialty of church architecture, and as much as, perhaps more, than any other architect of the country, developed the institutional church building.”

First English Lutheran is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure of the Over-the-Rhine National Register Historic District. The tower itself is a simple stone mass topped with an exuberant series of copper spire caps. The design is unique and represents a high level of architectural skill. The faith community of First Lutheran has a long history of commitment to helping others and to the cause of equality. Women were granted the right to vote on parish matters in the late 19th century. Today First Lutheran continues that commitment by providing spaces for arts and community groups and by supporting many programs for people in need. Of the 22,000 people who used the building last year, 20,000 were people attending arts programs, community meetings or accessing programs for people in need.  The church values its role  as a low cost venue supporting the Washington Park arts district.

Structural Conditions