NWNCC History

Portland history abounds in this regal building at the corner of NW 18th and Everett. The Northwest landmark rests on land originally developed by the adventurous seafarer Captain John Heard Couch. Designed by SS Beman and built in 1909, the building was the First Church of Christ Scientist west of the The three-story building, with its stately colonnade and domed roof ,virh soaring skylight, totals over 33,000 square feet including an 11,000 square foot auditorium. The church bustled with activity in its early years and housed a rare 1906 Hook & Hastings pipe organ with over 2,000 pipes. The sanctuary pews sat a congregation of 1,000.

Once an active church community, by 1976 the congregation had diminished to only 100 parishioners, and the church was offered for sale. Northwest Portland residents mounted a drive to raise money to purchase the building and convert it into a community center. Neighbors held potluck suppers and other fundraising events, sought corporate assistance and eventually raised $150,000 for a down payment on the $300,000 purchase price.

On June 5, 1978, the State Historical Preservation Review Board declared the building an historic landmark. In November 1978, the Northwest Service Center opened its doors and began serving the community. At that time. thirteen public benefit organizations including Loaves and Fishes, Gray Panthers and Neighbors West/Northwest occupied the building. Fifteen other public benefit programs and activities were regularly scheduled in the many available rooms in the building. With help from the City of Portland, Northwest residents completed the final payment on the building in July 1984.

The former church became a multi-purpose public benefit community center to be used and enjoyed by a wide variety charitable organizations and local residents. The building' s new life as a community service center strengthened the character and livability of the neighborhood by providing a space for meetings, workshops, and performances. The stately auditorium supported both community-based performing arts groups and entertainers. The auditorium provided an affordable venue for performing arts groups, who provided the center the revenue necessary to help subsidize low-rent office space for non-profit tenants.

In 1992 the center struggled again to keep its doors open after losing a major tenant. Once again the Portland community came to the rescue "with fundraisers and grants from area foundations until the building found a new "anchor" tenant. In 1993 The Northwest Childrens Theater and School made The Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center its home. Subsequently each year more than 65,000 area families, 27,000 school children and 3,000 underprivileged youth enjoy theater based on children's literature at the center. The center also hosts a year round theater school attended by over 3,500 children annually. Working with public schools, the theater school also offers an outreach program serving needy children in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The Childrens Theater also manages theater rental for the building.

In addition to the public use of the theater, an estimated 35.000 Portland residents utilize the other spaces in the building which are rented by charitable public benefit organizations. The Community Room and Board room each accommodate 60 people and Lower Level Reception Area can seat 200.