“The style of this large, centrally planned church is drawn from Early Christian, Byzantine, and Romanesque architecture. Designed by Henry Gutterson, a San Francisco architect who worked in many styles, the building is a strong design statement, set in a green park behind a low wall. Note the sensitive flow of rooflines from the round, central roof. The dark tile against the white concrete walls is striking.” —Santa Barbara Architecture (1975), pg. 224.
History and Background of Community
According to a Santa Barbara Magazine dated September 1906, Christian Science was introduced in Santa Barbara in 1892, and thereafter services were held in private residences. A society was organized in 1895 and services were held in a public hall on Sunday and Wednesday of each week. On October 2, 1900, First Church of Christ Scientist was organized and two years later, in 1902, the original church was at built at 1228 State St.
From the Santa Barbara Christian Science Website:
“In 1930, the members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Santa Barbara selected a Christian Scientist and distinguished architect, Mr. Henry Gutterson, to prepare a building plan. Mr. Gutterson’s first question was, ‘What shall the building express?’ The qualities named were loveliness, beauty, hospitality, affluence, strength, light, joy, substance, and healing. After a thorough study of the architectural possibilities, with these qualities in mind, Mr. Gutterson prepared the plans for the present edifice. The building is of early Christian architecture, related in type to the churches built while healing was still regarded as an essential element of Christianity. Its seating capacity is 750 and can be increased to approximately 1,000 through opening the highest balcony, where Sunday School classes were originally held. The Sunday School is now located in an adjacent building.”
Visit the Christian Science Santa Barbara Website