The two Monolithic Domes of the City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon have become a landmark in the community since opening in 1991. These domes are used to fit the 3000 member congregation.
Landmark: Art Johansen is the facility administrator at City Bible church. Johansen believes that being a landmark for the Portland area is good for the building as well as the church. “The domes have done well for us. They are very attractive, and our neighbors have no objection to them. Often, it’s curiosity about what the domes are that brings people in – and that’s not bad for a church.”
Multi-Purpose:
The main dome has a platform that can be sectioned off to allow
two events to occur simultaneously. “We do dramatic presentations– a couple of them most years.” In addition to the sanctuary, City Bible’s two-story, larger dome houses a school that has ages from Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, nurseries and offices. The smaller dome, also with two stories, includes a gym, a commercial kitchen, additional classrooms
and a library at its center.
Reaction:
“We’re in a unique setting up on a butte, so we are quite visible.
People flying in see us coming into the airport, and people driving
in see us from the freeway. There’s an instant recognition of the
domes, but many people don’t know what we are. A laboratory? An
airport facility? What? So they come in and find out.”
This publicity is good for the church and allows people to be
invited to the following service.
Square Feet:
230 ft in diameter, 75 ft high.
Domes:
2 interconnected domes
Seating:
over 3000 with platform for additional 200