Churches of early Phoenix

Phoenix in the 1880s boasted 16 saloons and four dance halls on Washington Street's notorious Whiskey Row. But as the town grew, the number of churches weren't too far behind. Here are a few (click the image for a larger photo):

Central Methodist was the oldest Protestant church in Phoenix, founded in 1872.

The postcard shows it in 1904 at Central and Monroe Street. It was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, part of the Methodist split before the Civil War. North and South churches reunited in 1939.

Here's the building in 1942 although the congregation has moved farther north on Central (McCulloch Bros. Collection/ASU Archives).

Central, by this time the "establishment" church in the city, moved into a handsome building at Pierce Street.

Unfortunately, the structure was demolished after Central moved to its present home at Palm Lane in 1950:

The organ at Central (which my mother sometimes played), along with the choir loft and stained-glass window. The organ fell into disrepair and was gone by the turn of the century as attendance declined.

St. Mary's Basilica, staffed by Franciscan Friars, was completed in 1914 at Third Street and Monroe. Officially the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it replaced an adobe building from 1881. Pope John Paul II raised the church to a minor basilica in 1985, two years before his visit to Phoenix.

Immaculate Heart Church grew out of a rebellion by Mexican-Americans to being confined to the basement of St. Mary's for worship and communion. They built their own church at Ninth Street and Washington.

Trinity Cathedral at First Avenue and Roosevelt replaced the original Trinity Church at Second Avenue and Washington Street. The Episcopal cathedral was built in stages between 1915 and 1931. It is the seat of the bishop for the Arizona diocese. Restored in the 2000s, it suffered a severe fire but was rebuilt again.

Here's a 1941 view before Central was curved into First Avenue in the '80s (McCulloch Bros. Collection/ASU Archives).

The Trinity choir in the 1940s (McCulloch Bros. Collection/ASU Archives).

Temple Beth Israel was Phoenix's first synagogue, opening in 1921 at 122 E. Culver St. It's now restored as the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center.

First Presbyterian Church opened in 1927 at Fourth Avenue and Monroe Street, replacing an 1889 building at Third Avenue and Adams Street. It closed in the 2000s, with a megachurch buying the property.

First Baptist Church, an American Baptist congregation, opened this building in 1929 at Third Avenue and Monroe. In the first photo below you can see First Presbyterian in the distance.

The congregation moved to a new campus on north Central and the old church was gutted by a 1984 fire. Restoring it has been a passion of former Mayor Terry Goddard.

Tanner Chapel AME Church is the oldest African-American church in Arizona. Located at Eighth Street and Jefferson, it was completed in 1929 and restored in 2012.

Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was just south of the second location of Central Methodist. This historic building was also lost to the wrecking ball.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, opened in 1929 at First Street and Roosevelt. It is now the Roosevelt Community Church.

First Colored Baptist Church, Fifth and Jefferson streets (McCulloch Bros. Collection/ASU Archives).

Grace Lutheran Church, Third Street and Moreland, opened in 1928. The congregation traces its roots to 1914, making it the oldest Lutheran congregation in Arizona.

Sacred Heart Church was the heart of the Golden Gate barrio. It's fenced off now, all that's left after the barrio was cleared for Sky Harbor expansion.

The LDS stake or meeting hall at Third Avenue and Moreland Street (McCulloch Bros. Collection/ASU Archives):

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My book, A Brief History of Phoenix, is available to buy or order at your local independent bookstore, or from Amazon.

Read more Phoenix history in Rogue's Phoenix 101 archive.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[El Kabong]

Very interesting. It was such a different time. My wife has a family connection to the construction of Central United Methodist.

[100 Octane]

The Chevrolet roadster with the striped top in front of First Baptist is awesome.

The pictures of Sacred Heart Church are, well, just sad I guess.

Great pictures and interesting choice of subject, thank you.

[Anonymous Poster]

I've always posted anonymously that these relics should be preserved for their beautiful acoustics, if nothing else.

[Cal Lash]

Maybe some of these "magnificent" buildings could be used as homeless shelters. Where those in need could receive bread and water.
"The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."

Today
https://unherd.com/2021/07/the-church-is-abandoning-its-flock/

[Cal Lash]

Some good news from Jon's Front pages
Shutting down a developer.
Will be interesting to see how Arizona state legislators will respond.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2021/07/08/development-san-pedro-river-obstacle-permit-suspended-villages-at-vigneto/7898517002/

No surprise here. Happening through out the state
https://tucson.com/news/local/major-crack-closes-southern-arizona-highway-in-heavy-groundwater-pumping-area/article_52a242d0-debd-11eb-ad7d-478c4ded74bf.html#tracking-source=home-trending

[Cal Lash]

Speaking of the San Pedro river and churches.
https://holytrinitymonasterycenter.com/

[Rogue Columnist]

I can speak for the United Methodists. We feed the hungry at most churches, with regular meals in dining rooms and help for individuals who come to the church office. And UMOM offers gold-standard social services for the unsheltered and others.

https://umom.org/

Oh, and the magnificent churches add to the worship experience. Many are considered architectural masterpieces. No snotty quote marks needed.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

The Palm Lane version of Central Methodist looks like Los Angeles Union Station at first glance.

[Cal Lash]

Magnificent has a whole different meaning for me. Its like calling animals, cute!
I cant think of a human built building i think is magnificent.
However i find one one story Sourh West Mexican Adobe style homes, pleasing.