Our tower is up!

A Historically Significant Building

Located in the historic Irvington District of Northeast Portland, Central Lutheran Church was designed by renowned Portland architect, Pietro Belluschi. As the church was being completed in 1950, Belluschi left Portland to begin his long tenure as Chair of the Department of Architecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As a leading, nationally recognized architect of his day, the features Belluschi incorporated into Central’s design influenced not only his own future work, but profoundly impacted the evolution of modern church architecture in America. Meredith L. Clausen in her book, Pietro Belluschi: Modern American Architect describes Central Lutheran Church as the “largest and most complex of Belluschi’s early Portland churches.” Many of the building’s significant features evidence his departure from nineteenth and early twentieth century traditional church design, and exemplify the early stages of his evolving new concepts for the use of light, space, and regional materials to enhance spiritual and religious experience. In July 1970, the City of Portland designated the church as an historic site.

Tower & Building Restoration

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In 2004, the congregation discovered dry rot in its 57 year-old timberwork tower. Weakened joints seriously threatened the tower’s stability putting members and neighbors at risk. Parts of the cross, mounted at the top of the tower, had already fallen. Safety issues resulted in the tower’s demolition in the spring of 2005.

The congregation is currently in the midst of a $250,000 capital campaign to restore the tower and make other needed repairs to the building. In addition to member contributions, the congregation has been fortunate to obtained the support of former members, other Lutheran churches in the Oregon ELCA synod, private citizens who recognize the value of our building, and the following organizations and charitable foundations:

• Architecture Foundation of Oregon
• Irvington Community Association
• Kinsman Foundation
• Maybelle Clark McDonald Fund
• Northeast Portland Chapter Thrivent Financials for Lutherans
• The Rommel Architectural Partnership
• Robert D. & Marcia L. Randall Charitable Trust University Club of Portland Foundation
• Van Evera & Janet Bailey Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

Our task is not yet finished and we continue to solicit funds. Contributions of

$50, $100, $250 or more will go directly to the support the building and are tax- deductible. Please contact the Central office at 503-284-2331 or e-mail office@centralportland.org for more information.

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