1. First Christian Church

1. First Christian Church

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Richmond, IN

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First Christian Church

5.0 (1 review)

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6 years ago

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Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church

Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church

5.0(1 review)
0.3 mi

It was only a couple years ago that Richmond, Indiana's Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church was on…read moreIndiana Landmarks' #10MostEndangered list, a signification recognizing the historic church's future being in limbo due to ownership issues and lack of inactivity. However, the Whitewater Valley Presbytery used a $140,000 loan to settle the ownership issues and put the 1906 church back on the path to restoration and recovery as decisions are now being made as to the future of the remarkable church that sits at the corner of 11th and North "A" Street in Richmond. As someone who is in the process of joining a Presbyterian church, I've been exploring its history in Indiana and realized this little icon was in the very city where I attended seminary. The church is considered architecturally significant - designed by Sidney Badgley and William H. Nicklas, the church shares design elements with South Bend, Indiana's St. Paul Memorial United Methodist Church. Building was funded by Daniel G. Reid in memory of his parents. Of course, if you're familiar with the Richmond area then you already know that the Reid name is a common one in the area. The church's interior and windows were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and the Tiffany Studios. The original Hook and Hastings organ is still in place, though it was rebuilt in 1958. The church actually has a bit of a darker history in Indiana history. In the 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan was experiencing growth in Indiana in terms of presence and power. In 1922, the Klan was introduced to Richmond by Robert Lyons with recruiting beginning at Reid Church - where years earlier his own father had been pastor. Lyons would eventually become chief of staff for the national organization of KKK. Rev. Lyons is actually buried in the nearby Earlham Cemetery. Membership dwindled and the church closed its doors in 2017 as the few members were simply unable to support such a large church. In 2019, Indiana Landmarks added it to their 10 Most Endangered list. I remember seeing the church on the 10 Most Endangered List and fantasizing about buying it for my own non-profit work. I even checked it out and explored the possibility, though ultimately the scope was beyond my ability. It's exciting to see renewed interest in repurposing this wonderful church building and honoring its history. If you're in Richmond, I definitely recommend checking it out if you get a chance.

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Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church - Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Richmond, IN

Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Richmond, IN

Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church
Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church

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First Christian Church - churches - Updated July 2026

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