{"nrhp_refnum":"03000037","name":"First Christian Church of Rialto","other_names":[],"category":"building","location":{"address":"201 N. Riverside Ave.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Rialto","county":"San Bernardino County","state":"CA","lat":34.10266685700003,"lon":-117.36992068399996,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"2003-02-20","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Architecture"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A one-story wood-frame church at 201 N. Riverside Avenue in Rialto, San Bernardino County, California, built in 1907 to a design by architect H.M. Patterson of Los Angeles. It combines Late Gothic Revival style with Craftsman elements.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the church is an excellent example of a sophisticated architect-designed building and of the Late Gothic Revival style in Rialto. It remains the most outstanding architect-designed building from the city's early years, as many other early civic and public buildings have been demolished. It also retains a high degree of integrity.","narrative":"Built in 1907 at 201 N. Riverside Avenue, this one-story wood-frame church in Rialto blends Late Gothic Revival design with Craftsman details. A three-story corner bell tower, pointed-arch windows and stained glass reflect the Gothic style, while shingle walls, bracketed eaves and stickwork reflect the Craftsman style. Inside, the sanctuary follows a version of the Akron Plan, with curved pews on a sloping floor facing a corner pulpit. Architect H.M. Patterson of Los Angeles designed it for a congregation organized in 1905. Rialto remained a small town until after World War II, and many of its early civic buildings were later demolished, leaving this church as the city's most outstanding architect-designed building from that era. The congregation owned it until 1964, when local residents bought it to prevent demolition. The city restored it in 1979-80, and it now serves as the Rialto Historical Society museum and a venue for meetings and weddings. The building retains a high degree of integrity.","period_of_significance":"1907","architect_builder":"Patterson, H.M.","architectural_style":"Late 19th Century Revival: Late Gothic Revival","criteria":["C"],"status_note":"Owned by the City of Rialto and leased to the Rialto Historical Society since 1974; it functions as a museum and is also used for meetings and weddings. Restored in 1979-80.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:54:27.702893-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_CA/03000037.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/03000037/5384f0b638-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/03000037/5384f0b638-1600.webp","licence":"Public domain","author":"Oleknutlee","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1907_First_Christian_Church.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Oleknutlee</a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1907_First_Christian_Church.jpg"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123860749","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Christian_Church_of_Rialto","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5452650"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/california/san-bernardino-county/first-christian-church-of-rialto-03000037/"}