|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
Immanuel Methodist Episcopal Church Renovation (TrICA project) | |||||
|
 When designed in 1907, the architectural firm of Tourtellotte and Hummell employed the most modern ideas in ecclesiastical architecture for the Immanuel Methodist Episcopal Church. Known as the Akron Plan, for its origins in Akron, Ohio, the church’s interior layout was designed to easily facilitate the programming needs of a modern congregation. These ideas, most of which are seen in the TrICA building, typically included a raked floor in the sanctuary, which treated the congregants as an audience; an easily manipulated floorplan that used folding or sliding doors to allow for the expansion of the sanctuary into the Sunday School space; and the Sunday School itself was often ringed with smaller classrooms to ease the transition from large group meetings to more intimate discussions. Learn more about the Akron Plan here.
Drawings Elevation: This drawing illustrates the proposed Eastman Street elevation for the Immanuel Methodist Episcopal Church. Note changes in the building as constructed including the primary window and front porch configuration. First Floor Plan: This drawing shows the interior arrangement of the first floor of the building. Basement Floor Plan: This drawing shows the interior arrangement of the basement of the building.
The stained glass of TrICA is typical of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It was likely produced by a company for the mail-order market. Though damaged through neglect and vandalism, the glass is important to the building as the last vestige of its original religious use.
The central window of the east elevation is an allegorical study illutrating the sinner rescued by the cross from the storms of life. The window was given as a memorial (see next photo).
This memorial window, given in honor of a deceased parishioner is surmounted by the phrase "Her light hath gone out while it is yet day."
Two stained glass columns flank the central window.
To the side of either column, a smaller window features a central medallion that has been removed. This window has a military theme.
The central window of the south elevation features a scene of Bethlehem. Note that this window has suffered more damage than the window on the east elevation.
Detail of the Bethelhem scene with the nativity star shining overhead.
Below are several interior and exterior images of the building.
The principle entrance to the building at the corner of 14th and Eastman Streets.
The 14th Street or east elevation with Boise sandstone, stucco and wood shingle treatment. Note the corrugated plastic which covers the stained glass windows.
The Eastman Street or south elevation with the prominent Sunday School wing in the foreground.
Weathered shingles on the rear of the roof.
Framing on the first floor interior of the sanctuary intended to serve the apartments that were never completed.
Framed floor dividing the second and third levels of the sanctuary.
Interior of the Sunday School wing that has been converted into two finished apartments. Note the undulating ceiling of the original space that possibly served some acoustical purpose.
New partition wall divides original window in the Sunday School wing.
The basement - in the foreground can be seen the structural support for the raked floor of the auditorium. | ||||||
Boise’s other example of Akron Plan church architecture, the Capitol City Christian Church, was the site of Preservation Idaho’s 30th Annual Orchid and Onion Awards in May of 2007.
