San José City Landmarks

The Grace Baptist Church at 484 East San Fernando Street was constructed in 1941 and was designed by the noted San José architectural firm Binder & Curtis. It is an example of a simplified Gothic Revival architectural style with Art Deco influences, and its façade features tall vertical lines emphasized by a series of lancet windows. The structure rises from a rectangular footprint with a prominent three-story tower set against the southern side of the street front, capped with stepped buttresses that flank the vertical elements of the tower, creating a striking visual presence within the neighborhood.

The building is historically significant not only for its architecture, but also for its association with civil rights and peace activism. Throughout the decades, Grace Baptist Church has hosted various community organizations and events focused on social justice and service to marginalized populations. These efforts include programs aimed at assisting groups such as the underserved and the unhoused, providing essential resources and support. The church's sanctuary also houses a historic Robert Morton organ, originally from the Liberty Theater in downtown San José, further enriching the cultural and historical legacy of the building.

-Adapted from 2024 DPR Form, Krista Van Laan, author