In 1893, the congregation built a second church near the southeast corner of 35th Street and Franklin Avenue.

Photo courtesy Clatsop County Historical Society

The First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was constructed in 1880 on the southwest corner of 34th Street and Franklin Avenue.

Photo courtesy John Goodenberger

Astoria Churches Embraced the Gothic Style

By JOHN E. GOODENBERGER

The Gothic style was said to fully express the embodiment of God in architecture.

The Gothic influence spread from medieval France to all corners of the earth. It was the church style. Some of its variations can be seen in Astoria.

The Swedish Lutherans were one congregation which repeated the style, reinventing it as their numbers grew and tastes changed.

The Rev. Peter Carlson established an Astoria branch of the First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1880. Astoria's church was the second such congregation in the Northwest. Charter members included cannerymen Andrew Young, brother of Benjamin Young whose grand Queen Anne house remains in Uppertown and Gustavus Homes, whose equally impressive residence was one block from the church. The first minister was the Rev. J.J. Hoikka, who jointly served the Finnish Lutheran Church.

Parishioner builds church
Members constructed a stark Gothic Revival building on the southwest corner of 34th Street and Franklin Avenue. It had a steep roof pitch, but no steeple. It was sided in board-and-batten. The windows were without colored glass, but that was expected for a Scandinavian church that valued simplicity. In 1884, an organ was purchased by the Ladies Aid Society. It was seen as a sign of progress.

But soon, the Rev. Hoikka moved on. The church struggled without a regular pastor for eight years; faith and tenacity of its membership were tested. The work of the parishioners "seemed in vain and the future of the church dark and despairing." Yet, in 1893, the congregation gave $4,000 toward the purchase of a lot and the construction of a larger church near the southeast corner of 35th Street and Franklin Avenue. A parsonage, which remains, was constructed in 1896.

Old church sold
In the meantime, the old church was sold for $600 to the Betania Norwegian Lutheran Congregation of Astoria.

Reportedly, the neighbor to the south, whose house was also sliding, was not happy about their plans. He didn't want a church constructed too close to his property. The congregation sold the lot to the neighbor and constructed a new church building half a block east on Franklin. The church remains, known as the Old Bethany Lutheran Church, and is a private photography studio.

The new Swedish Lutheran church was a vernacular version of British architect Christopher Wren's churches, popularized in New England by the Christ Church in Boston (1723). Astoria's handsome ecclesiastic structure had tall Gothic windows and an even taller tower and spire, both punctuated by a rosette window.

The sanctuary had typical Colonial New England detailing: a light colored plaster cove ceiling; a plaster cornice with acanthus leaf, bead and reel, and swags; and a chancel with a faux painted scrim, depicting fluted Corinthian columns framing a view of Christ and palms trees in a stylized landscape.

As the congregation grew, alterations and refinements occurred. In 1901, electric lights were installed. In 1905, a church basement was excavated, a cement foundation poured, the sanctuary plaster calcimined, the woodwork varnished and a furnace installed for $2,000.

Additionally, the Dorcas Society raised money for the installation of Astoria's first pipe organ. By 1920, the church underwent further remodeling. A porch with a king post truss was constructed over the front steps and entry, preventing rain from entering the foyer.

Across town, another Lutheran church engaged in remodeling. In 1908, the formerly named German Lutheran Church became the Memorial English Lutheran Church. Their church building stood on the bend of 13th Street and Grand Avenue. The building was nearly as plain as the Swede's first church. Architect John E. Wicks was hired to design a new church. Then, it was decided to remodel, making the building a little fancier and a little larger. Plans were drawn for the installation of cathedral glass, electric lighting and new furnishings. It was thought $4,000 would cover the work. How many of the finer improvement were made is unclear. It is known that in 1910, the church was raised nine feet for a full basement, moved 16 feet backwards and extended by 10 feet on its front.

Continued growth
By 1929, both the First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church and Memorial English Lutheran Church outgrew their facilities. It was agreed to merge the congregations. Their union became the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Uppertown church was sold for $1,000 to the Full Gospel Assembly Church and was destroyed around 1940.

The Grand Avenue church was used by the Central Labor Council, Assembly of God and by the Jewish community as a synagogue. The structure was torn down in the 1970s.

Construction of Trinity Lutheran Church began in 1932 on the northeast corner of 16th Avenue and Franklin Avenue - a site once occupied by the Holy Names Convent and Academy. John Wicks designed the $25,000, Gothic, brick-faced edifice.

His original drawings clearly recognize his ability as a designer, love of detail and his gift as an artist and draftsman. But his vision was not to be. Although material prices were low, and skilled, unemployed workmen were willing to donate time, Depression-era finances must have come into play.

The structure was not dedicated until 1939. Furthermore, many of Wicks' masonry Gothic elements were eliminated or interpreted in readily available wood molding or wood shingle. The partially realized work must have frustrated him. Wicks understood the importance of choosing masonry: its density, shadow lines and reflectivity - though subtle - illuminate the spirit of the Gothic style. Nevertheless, the resulting structure remains impressive.

In 1974, the congregation merged with Zion Lutheran Church, forming Peace Lutheran Church. Trinity Lutheran's congregation moved to Zion Lutheran's facilities: a 1951 International style structure designed by John Wicks and his daughter Ebba Brown on the southwest corner of 12th and Exchange streets. Trinity Lutheran Church was sold to Clatsop Community College for a Performing Arts Center. The building was remodeled: the banquet room was converted to classrooms, stair towers and a new entry were constructed, stained glass windows were blocked or removed and the sanctuary was converted to an auditorium.

Peace Lutheran Church continues to thrive at its downtown location.