The Willcox Building, originally the First Congregational
Church, located at 492 East 13th Avenue in Eugene (all photos by me).
This is the next in
my Eugene/Architecture/Alphabet series of blog posts, the focus
of each being a landmark building here in Eugene. Many of these will be
familiar to most who live here but there are likely to be a few buildings that
are less so. My selection criteria for each will be threefold:
- The building must be of architectural interest, local importance, or historically significant.
- The building must be extant so you or I can visit it in person.
- Each building’s name will begin with a particular letter of the alphabet, and I must select one (and only one) for each of the twenty-six letters. This is easier said than done for some letters, whereas for other characters there is a surfeit of worthy candidates (so I’ll be discriminating and explain my choice in those instances).
Willcox Building
The Willcox
Building, originally built in 1925 as the First Congregational Church, is one
of Eugene’s more distinctive architectural landmarks. Listed on the National
Register of Historic Places since 1980, it’s a relatively rare local example of
Mediterranean Revival architecture, with influences from California Mission
style and English design trends of the early 20th century.
Designed by Walter R.B. Willcox—an
architect and educator who led the University of Oregon’s Department of
Architecture from 1923 until his death in 1947—the building served as both a
place of worship and a teaching tool. Willcox encouraged students to study its
forms and finishes firsthand, and it stands as the best surviving example of
his work in Eugene.
The building’s
layout originally followed a modified “H” plan: sanctuary to the west,
classrooms to the east, with a chapel and study connecting them. The sanctuary (now Auditorium No. 1) features exposed trusses supported by curved wood brackets, with delicate
stenciling on the purlins and truss members. The walls are finished in a rough
“Mission” plaster that contrasts with the dark wood trim and moldings. Originally, hand-wrought light fixtures hung from long rods, shaded by copper screens
punched with small patterns. The stairway to the balcony—a tight turn with
no landing—displayed Willcox’s inventive approach to space.
The exterior is
finished in creamy-white gunite, a blown-on cement material that lends a soft,
textured appearance, especially around corners and window frames. The dark
brown wood trim provides contrast, and the building’s proportions and detailing
reflect a thoughtful use of modest materials. Additions over the years, including
mortuary facilities in the 1950s and a theater expansion in the 1980s—have been
constructed with care to match the original character.
From 1980 until its
closure in 2021, the building housed the Bijou Art Cinemas. My wife and I
attended many films there over the years. The experience was always enhanced by
the setting—a former sanctuary and chapel that lent a quiet dignity to the act
of watching a movie. The building’s architectural character was never just a
backdrop; it helped to shape the experience.
One of its most
appealing features is the small, cloistered courtyard formed by the southern
recess of the “H” plan. These kinds of spaces—partially enclosed, open to the
sky, buffered from the street—offer a sense of calm and enclosure. I like that
the Willcox Building’s courtyard is scaled for people, not spectacle. Ellis
Lawrence’s courtyard at the University of Oregon’s Art Museum shares this
quality: a space where proportion, texture, and light work together to create a
moment of quiet.
After the Bijou
closed, the building sat vacant until it was revived as the Art House, a multi-use venue
that now hosts films, music, and community events.(1)
A recent restoration highlighted the
original hand-stenciled woodwork and Spanish Mission-style flourishes. The Art
House recently sold the building to the Los Angeles-based company STVDIO SPACE, who plans to preserve the
structure while adding studio space for student artists.
The Willcox Building
stands as a reminder of Eugene’s architectural and educational history. It
reflects the values of its architect: craftsmanship, innovation, and a belief in
architecture as a teaching tool. In a city shaped by change, it remains a steady
presence.
(1) My wife and I attended
an Art House screening this past week of the documentary film Water Lilies of Monet – The Magic
of Water and Light.
1 comment:
My wife and I also enjoyed many films there. Really happy to hear it's been reopened as an art space. Bravo.
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