First Church of Christ, Scientist
212 Mulberry Street, Evansville
Ready for Revival
For more than a century, the small church at 212 Mulberry Street has stood as a testament to Evansville’s architectural and religious heritage, tangible history now at risk of being lost.
Designed by celebrated local architect Clifford Shopbell and completed in 1916 for the First Church of Christ, Scientist, the landmark is one of the city’s finest surviving examples of early twentieth-century Neoclassical architecture. Featuring white brick, a Bedford stone façade, and a grand columned portico, the building embodies the Christian Science movement’s emphasis on reason, harmony, and early Christian ideals.
The church served the Christian Science congregation for more than 70 years, through the Great Depression, the 1937 Ohio River Flood, World War II, and decades of community change.
Since 1988, Bethany Apostolic Church has occupied the building, but today the small congregation struggles to afford maintenance and repairs. Deterioration of the original green clay tile roof and historic windows has allowed water to infiltrate, damaging interior walls, ceilings, and finishes—defining features that will be costly to restore.
Losing the landmark would mean far more than the disappearance of a church. It would erase a rare example of purpose-built Christian Science architecture, a masterpiece by one of Evansville’s most important architects, and a physical reminder of a period when civic ambition, architectural excellence, and community investment helped define the city.
Stephanie Richard
Director
Indiana Landmarks Southwest Field Office
812-449-8928
srichard@indianalandmarks.org
Saving threatened buildings takes teamwork. You can be a part of that team. Reach out to local leaders. Let them know these buildings are important to you. And support state and local preservation groups.