by
Mark Mohlenbrock — CSDirectory.com
Fourth
Church of Christ, Scientist, New Orleans
 Historic
Fourth Church is located in the Lakeview District of New
Orleans which was flooded by up to twelve feet of water
following the breach of the flood control levee on the 17th
Street Canal. The church auditorium, located on the second
floor of the church, escaped much damage (see photo, right).
But the lower level which house the Sunday School, Reader's
Rooms, HVAC system, etc. were heavily damaged by the invasive
flood waters.
Following
the retreat of the flooding, the lower level of the building
had to be "gutted" to remove the molded wallboards
clear up the the ceiling. The photos on this page show the
severity of the damage to this structure which is listed
on the National Historic Places register.
With
the flooding, church services from this location ceased.
Many members relocated across the USA for a period of time
until it was deemed safe to return to the area. Currently,
members of Fourth Church are meeting with the congregation
at First Church of Christ Scientist, New Orleans. Fourth
Church has received support from Christian Scientists and
CS branch churches and organizations across the USA and
beyond. A Reading Room which was closing in California sent
their entire Reading Room contents to Fourth Church which
is being stored in the area until a Reading Room can be
re-established.
On
the one-year anniversary of the flooding, area Christian
Scientists met in the gutted shell of the lower level Sunday
School room of Fourth Church for a spirited metaphysical
meeting about the future of this church. With no electrical
power restored to the building, a portable generator was
used during the meeting. The membership has since voted
to rebuild the church and a letter from the building committee
about their needs for this project is published below.
Fourth
Church of Christ, Scientist
New Orleans LA
January
22, 2007
Dear Christian Science Friends,
The members of Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist in New
Orleans are in the midst of planning the repairing and restoration
of our church home. The Katrina floodwaters inundated the
entire first floor of our building where the Sunday School,
nursery, clerk’s office, rest rooms and Readers’
rooms were located. The second floor houses the church auditorium
and is in reasonably good condition. The elevator and the
heating/air conditioning system will have to be removed
and new ones purchased and installed. The prices we are
getting from contractors to bring back our church to serve
our community range from $350,000 to $400,000.
Our
church maintained a Reading Room located on a busy street
about a mile from our church. The water reached the ceiling,
and we lost every item in the Reading Room (furniture, inventory,
computer, a full set of bound volumes, artwork, display
cases, etc.) Our insurance covered about $20,000.
We
are requesting assistance to help us restore Christian Science
church services to Lakeview and the surrounding area of
New Orleans. Our church is centrally located and is accessible
to two Interstate highways. Our members and regular attendees
came from all parts of metro New Orleans.
Following
Katrina there was a break in the levee of the 17th Street
Canal about a mile from our church. Eight to ten feet of
water remained in our building for three weeks before it
was pumped out. Access to our neighborhood was denied for
another three weeks, and electricity was delayed for more
than six months.
Flood insurance covered $88,000 for the church building
and $13,400 for contents. We received $8,134.00 for wind
damage. We received $20,000 from the Bush Clinton Katrina
Fund and a generous donation from the Bright Skies Fund
created by Bill Moody’s Association. Even though our
church is on the National Register of Historic Places, we
do not qualify for federal funds for historic buildings
since we are a religious institution. In total we have $200,000
on hand to apply toward the rebuilding effort. We will be
happy to give you any specific information you need in order
to assess our worthiness of a gift.
The
following is an overview of the costs we are encountering:
Soil subsidence and foundation repair………$10,000
Interior Construction and Painting……..….
$200,000
Elevator…………………………………………$75,000
Heating and Air Conditioning…………………$38,000
Electrical……………………………………….$25,000
Roof……………………………………………..$20,000
Furnishings……………………………………
$10,000
Pipe Organ repair………………………………
$7,500
Contingency……………………………………$15,000
Please
contact our clerk Joan Jurisich at 504-738-1235
or me if you would like further information. All mail for
our church is being routed to our clerk. Mrs. Jurisich’s
address is 230 Garden Road; River Ridge LA 70123; e-mail
jurisich@BellSouth.net.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kathie Graythen, Construction Committee
member, phone 504-454-8098
Above:
Rusted HVAC system, Fourth Church New Orleans will require
overhaul. (photo contributed by Patti Christopher)
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Above:
Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist. Note "high water"
line at the top of the church's sign. This area of New Orleans
received major flood damage following the breeching of the
levees. (photo contributed by Patti Christopher)
Above:
Gutted, water damaged Sunday School room, lower level, Fourth
Church New Orleans (photo contributed by Patti Christopher)
Above:
Water covered much of the lower level of the church. Note
the "high water" mark near the top of the doorway
and the water damage to the exterior siding as a result.
(photo contributed by Patti Christopher)
Above:
The elevator in Fourth Church New Orleans will have to be
rebuilt. (photo contributed by Patti Christopher)
Above:
Rest room in lower level, Fourth Church New Orleans currently
doesn't offer much privacy! (photo contributed by Patti
Christopher)
Above:
Reader's Room, lower level, Fourth Church New Orleans. (photo
contributed by Patti Christopher)
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