May 29, 2004

Rebuilding a house of God

Ashland's fourth oldest church, the Ashland First Congregational United Church of Christ, is getting a much-needed face lift.

Located on the corner of Siskiyou Boulevard and Morton Street, it was founded in 1888 by Oregon pioneer educator Rev. George H. Atkinson, a retired Congregational minister from Portland.

The original church was located on the same corner as Ashland's new fire station. A photo of that church building is on display in the fire station conference room.

Around 1920, a craftsman-style structure was built on the new site a few blocks east on Siskiyou Boulevard. Many materials from the original building, including the doors and windows, were incorporated in the new building. Little has been done to alter the church building since the time its doors opened in October 1926. A cellar was dug out to create classroom space in the 1950s. Late in that decade, a storm-damaged stained-glass window facing the street was replaced with the wooden relief carved by Northwest artist Leroy Setziol.

Led by the vision and faith of Ashland builder Brad Roupp, a member of the congregation who is acting as contractor for the project, about thirty members and friends of the church raised $250,000 in pledges in about two months for renovations.

This group has three goals: a building fully accessible to people with disabilities, improved energy efficiency, and a space that is more welcoming for church functions and the many community groups who use it. Special care is being taken to use materials and procedures that are safe for people with allergies and chemical sensitivities.

"The inside of the church has been stripped, ripped, and chipped clear down to the barest of bones," Church member Julia Roupp said. "It's amazing to go inside and see what happened in just a few days."

During construction the congregation is worshiping with the Talent United Methodist Church in May and June and with the Medford Congregational Church in July and August. Plans call for an open house and public dedication of the remodeled building in the early autumn.