First Baptist Church of Ventura, Mayan Revival church in Ventura, United States
The First Baptist Church of Ventura is a church with Mayan Revival architecture completed in 1932. Its exterior displays the style's characteristic stepped pyramidal forms and geometric stone ornaments throughout the facade and walls.
The original building was completed in 1926, but architect Robert Stacy-Judd transformed it in 1932. This renovation established it as a notable example of Mayan Revival design in the region.
The church shows how early 20th-century architects drew from ancient American cultures and wove those design ideas into modern buildings. The style reflects the era's fascination with historical civilizations and their visual language.
The church is located on South Laurel Street and welcomes visitors interested in exploring its architecture. The building rewards careful observation of its exterior details and stonework from different angles.
It stands as one of the few remaining religious buildings in this style throughout Southern California and is listed on the National Register. Its rarity as a house of worship designed this way makes it a noteworthy survivor of an architectural trend.
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