Marceline First Christian Church: It’s Architecture and Role During Segregation, Part 3
The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Classical Revival
Whiffen notes the principal characteristics that appear in Classical Revival buildings “show none of the tendency to multiply angles and projections; broad expanse[s] of plain wall surface are common; roof lines, when not level, are quiet, and unbroken by sculptural incidents.” Moreover, Whiffen states that the “Greek orders are employed much more often than the Roman, and in keeping with this windows and doorway are linteled rather than arched; pedimented porticoes are frequent features” and coupled columns are not used.[42] McAlester adds that these buildings had facades “dominated by [a] full-height porch with roof supported by classical columns; columns typically have Ionic or Corinthian capitals” and facades with symmetrically balanced windows and a central door. [43]
These Neoclassical aspects are evident in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Marceline:
The walls of the east, west, and north elevations are bays, all of which are broad expanses without any elaborate embellishments. The brick is common red brick with slight color variations throughout giving the appearance of depth. The only embellishment is the masonry rustication in various areas of several walls with the varied color of the brick bond.
All windows and doorways are topped with masonry lintels. No arches are present over these sections. Everything is simple and straight-forward.
While no pediment is above the lintel as would be expected with classical neoclassical architecture, Richardson designed the roof in such a way as to give the illusion of a pediment (Photo 1) over the porch/portico when viewing the structure’s south façade from the street. The roof lines are straight and unbroken by sculptural incidents. Only chimney’s break up the roof lines.
The symmetry of the south façade is clear. The two sides of the façade are mirror images of one another. The balance between the east and west elevations is also evident. The facades are clear mirrors of one another with the recessed large bay on the east façade reflected in the protruding central bay of the west elevation. Windows are lined up in perfect symmetry with five on the front, three on each of the west and east elevations, and one on each tower wall that’s part of the south façade.
The columns are Ionic and not coupled, thus employing Greek orders, and their height is enough to allow for a full-height porch with roof supported by classic columns to dominate the south façade. The four-column portico with the illusion of a pediment give the impression of a tetrastyle portico.
The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Albert (A.J.) Richardson
In 1906, Albert J. Richardson, who started working in the local coal mines when he was 10, took a job “in the carpenter trade, in 1909 started contracting on large buildings. Among the monuments to his skill and enterprise are the new Methodist Episcopal church in Marceline … two structures of magnitude in Macon conty [sic], and a number of other buildings for business and residence purposes.”[44] He learned his craft through hard work, because he had “no educational advantages but what he secured for himself through correspondence schools.”[45]
Six years after he started contacting on large buildings, Richardson was awarded the contract to design the 1915 church. After Richardson drafted the plans for the 1915 church, the church consulted with B.J. Patrick, builder of the Hotel Allen and Park School (both in Marceline). Patrick wrote that “I find that they are admirably drawn, and with a specification to set forth the quality of material, which I am confident Mr. Richardson is fully competent to make, there is no reason that you should not get a first class and very beautiful building.”[46]
Not only did he design and build the current church building, but he was also a member of the committee that purchased the organ.[47] Richardson was born in 1881 and married his wife Mary in 1908.[48] According to the 1910 census records, he was a carpenter in Marceline,[49] which aligns with the history in the Compendium. Afterwards, he is referred to as an architect in multiple articles discussing the plan to build the church. Sometime after building the church and before 1938, Richardson and his wife Mary moved to Joplin, Missouri and opened a building and architecture company.[50]
Segregation
By all accounts, there was never segregation in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Non-white Christians had a Baptist church that they all presumably went to. Whether this was by design or not is unknown. More research is necessary to determine whether any non-white parishioners attended any of the other area “white” churches. However, the church’s history and membership criteria since its inception, as dictated by the Scott-Campbell agreement (“All are welcome”), has shown it to be one of the few denominations that did not care about skin color, gender, or anything else. Since their inception, the main doctrine has been that one must only believe in God’s word to be part of the Christian Church. This century old doctrine is reflected in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) region to which Marceline’s First Christian Church belongs. This region has an ongoing “Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciling Justice Ministries Training” program which continues the doctrine the Church espouses: All are welcome.[56] Further implying that the church was open and welcoming to all those who believe in God is that the Church held the Lincoln School commencement in the current church building In 1921, indicating that people of color were welcome.[57]
Marceline’s First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a unique local and regional example of an early-twentieth century rural church. It demonstrates a simple composition that stands out from other buildings within Marceline’s city limits. It stands out as do most houses of worship: by being unique in its appearance, thus drawing attention to itself. It manifests dignity and simplicity while standing as a statuesque reminder of a decades-long building Renaissance in Marceline that saw the erection of several buildings, like the Santa Fe Depot (1913), I.O.O.F. Building (1915), Carnegie Library (1920), and the Masonic Lodge (1923-1924) over a course of a decade. Albert J. Richardson’s design exhibits a form unlike many churches in Missouri. The building’s scale, materials, and organization highlight quality workmanship that went into the façades (despite the later removal of the parapets) and are indicative of a solid architectural unit that creatively used the original 1890 church in its design. The church has remained unaltered for over 100 years and still maintains its original dimensions.
For over 100 years it has been the meeting place for the same Christian denomination and has remained a focus of the city’s spiritual, social, and philanthropic community, allowing all believers in God to attend services and hold gatherings. Furthermore, this building is noteworthy as one of the best and purest examples of Classical Revival architecture in places of worship in northern central rural Missouri. The location, design, size, workmanship, and intact integrity of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Marceline, Linn County, Missouri, are largely retained and clearly demonstrate its unique, local architectural significance.
Hill also dove into horse racing. In fact, one of her horses, “Pardon Dolly”, won Delmar. The horse still holds the highest payoff in Delmar history. As it turns out, the horse’s name became a kind of good omen. Hill met Dolly Parton by chance multiple times. Once on a plane bound for Hawaii with the SDSU football team, Parton stopped and spoke with the entire team. Later, while flying from an NCAA council meeting in Tennessee, Parton again approached Hill.