First Christian Church of Rialto, Gothic Revival church in Rialto, California.
The First Christian Church of Rialto is a church building with a peaked roof, corner tower, and pointed arch stained glass windows, clad in redwood shingles. The structure blends Gothic Revival forms with handcrafted details like decorative stickwork and overhanging eaves supported by ornamental brackets.
Built during 1906 and 1907, the church was designed by architect H. M. Patterson and blends Late Gothic forms with American Craftsman styling. This combination of two design movements was typical of early 1900s California architecture.
Since 1964, the building has served the community as a gathering place after the city purchased it to prevent its loss and protect it for future generations. Local events and meetings have taken place within its walls, making it a recognizable landmark in downtown Rialto.
The building sits in downtown Rialto along North Riverside Avenue and is easy to reach on foot. Take time to walk around it to see the facade details and windows from different angles.
Since its construction in 1906, the building demonstrates how two contrasting design approaches can work together harmoniously. The Gothic windows combined with Craftsman details create a rare architectural blend that few examples achieve so effectively.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
