Saving The Christian Temple of Norfolk: A Tidewater Landmark at Risk

The Christian Temple of Norfolk at Park Place

Located in the Park Place neighborhood, the Christian Temple of Norfolk is a 1922 Gothic Revival church and a designated historic landmark. Its stained-glass windows, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses make it architecturally unique. Just as important, it reflects a shift in Norfolk’s history, as the congregation changed over time from primarily white to primarily black.

Despite its significance, the church has been vacant since 2006, as a result of a dwindling and aging congregation. Years of neglect have led to serious water damage, structural concerns, and repeated vandalism and graffiti.

Our first goal is simple: clean up the graffiti and secure the building to prevent further damage. From there, we hope to begin targeted repairs, starting with the most vulnerable areas, such as sections of the roof and the stained-glass windows.

Even small donations of around 1000 dollars can fund real, concrete steps:

• Graffiti and vandalism cleanup on the most visible walls and doors.

• Protect at-risk stained-glass windows with temporary coverings or repairs.

• Emergency roof patches or gutter repairs to slow ongoing water damage.

  
  

By working together, we can stabilize this landmark, protect its stories, and lay the groundwork for future reuse or long-term preservation.

You can help today by donating, sharing this story, or spreading the word in your community. Every step brings Christian Temple of Norfolk closer to a second life.