Urge the owner of First Church of Christ Scientist to stop the demolition of this historic church
On July 2, Preservation Dayton learned that a demolition permit has been issued for 105 Sawmill Road, the historic former First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the South Dayton Rubicon residential neighborhood. A letter from the owner’s attorney and City of Dayton records confirm that plans are under review to build a $1.5M two-story single-family home on the site. The deed limits the property to residential use. Two PDI trustees visited the site on Tuesday morning. It appears that Steve R. Rauch, Inc. had not yet started demolition.
Preservation Dayton, Inc. urges the owner of the property to meet with leaders of the Rubicon Mill neighborhood and Preservation Dayton to explore alternatives to demolishing the church. Renovating the historic structure into a single-family home could create one of the most stunning residential properties in the region. There are examples of successful renovations that have transformed churches into remarkable homes in the Oregon and St. Anne’s historic districts. Preservation Dayton is willing to contact the owners of these renovated churches to facilitate tours and meetings with the owner of 105 Saw Mill Road.
PDI members and citizens wishing to voice their support save and reuse the church can contact Natalie Rauf, the attorney who confirmed the purchase and post-demolition plans for the property at [email protected] or 513-977-8685 and/or by writing to the limited-liability owner 105 Sawmill LLC, 300 College Park Ave, Dayton, OH 45469.
According to a Dayton Daily News article published on April 11, 2024, a University of Dayton related LLC transferred the property to another university-related limited liability company, 105 Sawmill LLC, 300 College Park Ave, Dayton, OH 45469. Unfortunately, the University of Dayton's affiliates did not put any protections in place to save this irreplaceable historic property. This is especially disappointing after the University of Dayton saw the value in reusing the historic South Park Methodist Church.
PDI members and citizens wishing to contact UD officials can reach
Because neither the historic church nor the Rubicon neighborhood is protected by local historic zoning, there is no regulatory recourse that Preservation Dayton can take. But the lack of zoning protections does not diminish the historic significance of the church or justify its destruction. In addition to creating a stunning residential property, renovating the historic First Church of Christ, Scientist would:
—preserve Dayton’s irreplaceable cultural history for generations to come
—sustain the unique character of the Rubicon Mill neighborhood,
—greatly reduce carbon emissions and massive landfill waste from new construction
Subscribe and read more in the Dayton Daily News
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/university-of-dayton-transfers-former-church-to-a-new-university-entity/FMV2RF6WONHWBA2IHPRYSIHCSQ/ Deed does not prevent dividing the property or using as condos
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/new-details-dayton-issues-demolition-permit-for-former-church-property/M3H2XFN4MRET5J7WDTT7TV7IZQ/
Read more about this history of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Andrew Walsh's blog titled History of a Dayton Church Tucked Away.
Preservation Dayton, Inc. urges the owner of the property to meet with leaders of the Rubicon Mill neighborhood and Preservation Dayton to explore alternatives to demolishing the church. Renovating the historic structure into a single-family home could create one of the most stunning residential properties in the region. There are examples of successful renovations that have transformed churches into remarkable homes in the Oregon and St. Anne’s historic districts. Preservation Dayton is willing to contact the owners of these renovated churches to facilitate tours and meetings with the owner of 105 Saw Mill Road.
PDI members and citizens wishing to voice their support save and reuse the church can contact Natalie Rauf, the attorney who confirmed the purchase and post-demolition plans for the property at [email protected] or 513-977-8685 and/or by writing to the limited-liability owner 105 Sawmill LLC, 300 College Park Ave, Dayton, OH 45469.
According to a Dayton Daily News article published on April 11, 2024, a University of Dayton related LLC transferred the property to another university-related limited liability company, 105 Sawmill LLC, 300 College Park Ave, Dayton, OH 45469. Unfortunately, the University of Dayton's affiliates did not put any protections in place to save this irreplaceable historic property. This is especially disappointing after the University of Dayton saw the value in reusing the historic South Park Methodist Church.
PDI members and citizens wishing to contact UD officials can reach
- President Eric Spina’s assistant [email protected] 937-229-4122
- and Andrew Horner, Vice President of Business Administration at https://udayton.edu/finadmin/leadership.php
Because neither the historic church nor the Rubicon neighborhood is protected by local historic zoning, there is no regulatory recourse that Preservation Dayton can take. But the lack of zoning protections does not diminish the historic significance of the church or justify its destruction. In addition to creating a stunning residential property, renovating the historic First Church of Christ, Scientist would:
—preserve Dayton’s irreplaceable cultural history for generations to come
—sustain the unique character of the Rubicon Mill neighborhood,
—greatly reduce carbon emissions and massive landfill waste from new construction
Subscribe and read more in the Dayton Daily News
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/university-of-dayton-transfers-former-church-to-a-new-university-entity/FMV2RF6WONHWBA2IHPRYSIHCSQ/ Deed does not prevent dividing the property or using as condos
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/new-details-dayton-issues-demolition-permit-for-former-church-property/M3H2XFN4MRET5J7WDTT7TV7IZQ/
Read more about this history of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Andrew Walsh's blog titled History of a Dayton Church Tucked Away.
Be sure to also check out our Endangered Properties page for additional ways you can help save Dayton's unique and varied architecture.