The calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church
3105 N 24th St. Omaha, NE.
The building was originally constructed in 1910 as the North Presbyterian Church. It was designed by renowned Omaha architect Frederick A. Henninger, who drew heavy inspiration from the Neo-Classical Revival style seen at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition held just blocks away. The structure is defined by its massive limestone Ionic columns and a grand dome that was once the centerpiece of the affluent Kountze Place neighborhood. In 1986, its architectural and historical significance earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
A Symbol of Integration (1954–1991)
In the 1940s and 50s, the neighborhood began to shift due to "white flight" as residents moved further west. While many congregations simply abandoned their buildings, North Presbyterian attempted a bold social experiment. In 1954, they merged with Hillside Presbyterian (a Black congregation) and Bethany Presbyterian to form Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church. Under the leadership of Rev. Charles E. Tyler, it became one of Omaha’s first intentionally integrated congregations. For decades, it served as a vital community hub, offering youth employment programs, child care, and adult education during the height of the Civil Rights era.
Decline and Abandonment
The church’s decline followed the broader economic struggles of North Omaha in the late 20th century. By the 1980s, the congregation had dwindled significantly, and in 1991, Calvin Memorial officially merged with Fairview Presbyterian to form New Life Presbyterian, vacating the 24th Street building.
The structure was later used by the Church of Jesus Christ Whole Truth, but they moved out around 2017. Since then, the building has sat empty. While there have been various proposals to turn the site into a community resource center (such as the "POC Collaborative"), the massive costs of maintaining such a large, historic limestone structure have left it in the state of "benign neglect" and decay that urban explorers see today.
So please enjoy looking through my photos. The only way I know to protect these buildings is to remind people they even exist.
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Sources
Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission: Records on the 1985 landmark designation.