Downtown Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Church of Christ Scientist

1900

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 14, 2024

1. First Church of Christ Scientist Marker

Inscription.
Pioneer Southern California church organized by Emma S. Davis. Designed in Mission Style with classical facade by Arthur B. Benton.
F.L. Spaulding, Contractor.

City of Riverside Cultural Heritage Landmark No. 7

Erected 1969 by City of Riverside. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 33° 58.961′ N, 117° 22.248′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Downtown Riverside. It is on Lemon Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3606 Lemon Street, Riverside CA 92501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Meet Me at the Cheech (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Riverside Municipal Auditorium (about 300 feet away); Universalist-Unitarian Church (about 300 feet away); Riverside Art Center and Museum (about 400 feet away); First Congregational Church (about 500 feet away); Chinese Memorial Pavilion (about 500 feet away); This Olive Tree (about 500 feet away); Bell From Locomotive 66 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Also see . . .

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1. Landmarks of the City of Riverside (#7). (Submitted on June 6, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)
2. National Register of Historic Places #92001250 (47MB PDF). National Register application excerpt:

In 1969 the church was declared Landmark No. 7 by the Cultural Heritage Board of Riverside. Today, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, is thought to be the oldest surviving Mission Revival style building Riverside. Two Mission Style buildings are known to have been built before the First Church of Christ, Scientist, but are no longer standing: the Southern Pacific Railroad station (1898) and the County Hospital (1900), a structure with Mission Style elements but with wood siding.

Mr. Benton must have made contacts and friendships while supervising the church project, since after 1901 he designed numerous structures in Riverside. Most notable was his design of the National Historic Landmark, the Mission Inn, built in 1902 (only one block west of the church). Benton became friends with the owner and operater of the Inn, the very influential Frank A. Miller (founder of the Spanish Art Association in Riverside), and Benton made additions to the Inn up until his death in 1927.

Benton helped shape the look of Riverside by securing many more building contracts after the construction of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and the Mission Inn. "Of all the out-of-town
Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 14, 2024

2. Cornerstone
architects working in Riverside, perhaps Los Angeles architect Arthur B. Benton was of the greatest importance to the city" (Klotz and Hall 1985:314). The following buildings and structures in Riverside are known to have been designed by Benton (see attached map also): First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1900-01; Mission Inn, 1902, and additions and alterations until 1927; Carnegie Libray, 1902-03; YMCA, 1910; Hole Mansion, 1912; La Atalaya, 1913 (house, since remodeled); Dormitories for the Mission Inn, 1920 and 1927; Fairmount Park Bandshell, 1920; Mt. Rubidoux Peace Tower, 1925; and, Riverside Municipal Auditorium, 1926-27. Arthur Benton's influence in Riverside, spanning almost 30 years, ended with his death in 1927.

(Submitted on June 25, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

First Church of Christ Scientist image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 14, 2024

3. First Church of Christ Scientist

The marker is at the top of the stairs, to the right of the door.

First Church of Christ Scientist Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 14, 2024

4. First Church of Christ Scientist Sign

First Church of Christ Scientist - 1992 image. Click for full size.

National Register of Historic Places/NPS

5. First Church of Christ Scientist - 1992

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on June 25, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 18, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5. submitted on June 25, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.