First Church of Christ Scientist
Why it's listed
This two-story buff brick church at 128 E. Adams Street in Sandusky was built between 1922 and 1924 for the local Christian Science congregation. Its most prominent feature is a portico with classical columns. Pilasters with simple decoration, stone window and door caps, stone sills and a stone water table add horizontal accents beneath an unadorned flat roofline. Arched brick windows with stone sills light the sides of the main body, and metal lamp posts with glass shades decorate the base. The survey describes it as an unusually fine example of Neo-classic style. Christian Scientists began worshipping in Sandusky in 1885-1886, after a speaker came from Ashtabula to explain the teachings, and the group gained some prominent converts in the area. Membership was 85 when the building went up. The church stands in a congested area near the Hubbard House and a block of houses already recognized for their age and quality. It remains in use as a church and is in good condition.
Significance in brief: The inventory form describes it as an unusually fine example of Neo-classic style. It also records the history of Christian Scientists in Sandusky, who began worshipping there in 1885-1886. The building sits close to some of Sandusky's finest old houses.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82001398, listed October 20, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 128 E. Adams St., Sandusky |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | October 20, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001398 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1922-1924 |
| Architectural style | Neo-classic |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a church; interior and exterior condition both listed as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.45383, -82.70896 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82001398.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452708
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.