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Virginia: Tidewater and Piedmont » Norfolk » Ghent » First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church

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1910–1912, Ferguson, Calrow and Taylor. 1971, education building, Oliver and Smith. 1989, preschool building, Hanbury Evans Newill Vlattas and Company. Southeast corner of Colonial Ave. and Redgate Ave.
  • First Presbyterian Church (Richard Guy Wilson)

A Scottish church purportedly inspired the design, but Norfolk's First Presbyterian Church more closely resembles a suburban English parish church of the Edwardian era. This likeness is due largely to the Perpendicular Gothic treatment of its exterior, which is executed in brick with limestone trim. The focal point of the cruciform church is the blocky western tower with the main entrance at its base. An alternating rhythm of small windows and simple buttresses along the side aisles contrasts effectively with the enormous traceried windows that punctuate the clerestory level. The threeaisle interior is restrained, save for the extraordinary stained glass windows by J. and R. Lamb Studios of New York and Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia. The architect, Finlay F. Ferguson, Sr., was a member of the congregation.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Richard Guy Wilson et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

Temple Ohef Shalom
Ghent United Methodist Church
Fred Heutte Horticultural Center
Henke House
Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Citation

Richard Guy Wilson et al., "First Presbyterian Church", [Norfolk, Virginia], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/VA-01-NK77.

Print Source

Buildings of Virginia: Tidewater and Piedmont, Richard Guy Wilson and contributors. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002, 432-432.

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