Oregon Historic Sites Database

Search Menu

Site Information small logo

Oregon Historic Sites Database

Scanned Document Links

Inventory Form

LOCATION AND PROPERTY NAME
address:2400 NE Broadway historic name:Church Of Good Tidings
Portland, Multnomah County (97232) current/other names:First Universalist Church of Good Tidings; Metropolitan Community Church; MCC Portland; Steeplejack Brewing Co.
assoc addresses:1644 NE 24th Ave
block/lot/tax lot:2 / 3-4 / 14, 300
location descr: twnshp/rng/sect/qtr sect:1N 1E 25 SW/SW
PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS
resource type:Building height (stories):1.5 total elig resources:1 total inelig resources:
elig evaluation: eligible/significant NR Status:
prim constr date:1900 second date:1923 date indiv listed:
primary orig use: Religious Facility orig use comments:
second orig use: Restaurant
primary style: Craftsman prim style comments:
secondary style: sec style comments:
primary siding: Shingle siding comments:
secondary siding: Wood:Other/Undefined
plan type: architect:
builder:
comments/notes:
GROUPINGS / ASSOCIATIONS
Survey/Grouping Included In: Type of Grouping Date Listed Date Compiled
   Portland LGBTQ+ Historic Resources 2024 RLS Survey & Inventory Project 2024
SHPO INFORMATION FOR THIS PROPERTY
NR date listed: N/A
ILS survey date:
RLS survey date: 03/14/2023
106 Project(s)
SHPO Case Date Agency Effect Eval
09-1992 08/25/2010 no adverse effect
Special Assess Project(s): None
Federal Tax Project(s): None
ARCHITECTURAL / PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
(Includes expanded description of the building/property, setting, significant landscape features, outbuildings and alterations)
2400 NE Broadway is a one-and-a-half story Craftsman style religious building oriented east to west on a corner lot. The building has a concrete foundation, irregular plan, wood shingle siding, and cross-gable roof. The main entrance faces west onto NE 24th Avenue. The main floor of the building is lifted from the street. A wide split concrete staircase leads from the sidewalk to two separate double-door entrances covered by small gabled canopies. The west facade of the building features a large gabled roof over the two smaller gabled canopies. There is a large arched, stained-glass window with two smaller stained-glass windows in the west elevation. The north side of the building features a tall church steeple and an additional entrance to the building.
HISTORY
(Chronological, descriptive history of the property from its construction through at least the historic period - preferably to the present)
The First Universalist Church of Good Tidings served as the home of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) from 1977 to 2019. MCC is a progressive LGBTQ+-founded and affirming church, establishing itself in the early 1970s as a prominent Portland spiritual organization. Early meetings were held at existing LGBTQ+-associated venues, such as Centenary-Wilbur Methodist Church (215 SE 9th Avenue), the Gay Community Center (258 SW Alder Street, demolished), the Pythian Building (918 SW Yamhill Street) and other Portland churches through the early to mid-1970s. Portland’s MCC purchased the former First Universalist Church in 1977. MCC hosted numerous LGBTQ+ organizations and events here prior to selling the building and relocating in 2019. The First Universalist Church of Good Tidings is significant under National Register Criterion A in the area of LGBTQ+ history as a longstanding LGBTQ+ event space and affirming center for over 40 years.
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Title Records Census Records Property Tax Records Local Histories
Sanborn Maps Biographical Sources SHPO Files Interviews
Obituaries Newspapers State Archives Historic Photographs
City Directories Building Permits State Library
Local Library: University Library:
Historical Society:Oregon Historical Society Other Respository:Umbrella Project
Bibliography:
Kohl, David Grant. A Curious and Peculiar People: A History of the Metropolitan Community Church of Portland, Oregon and the Sexual Minority Communities of the Pacific Northwest. Portland, OR: Spirit Press, 2006. "Church Set for City’s Gay People.” Oregon Journal, April 16, 1973, 5. “First Portland MCC Service.” The Fountain 3, no. 6 (June 1973): 4. McDonough, Sandra. “Church Ministers to Gay Community.” Oregonian, January 19, 1978, 31. Lee-Hosteller, Jerri. “MCC Celebrates Installation of Rev. Berry.” Just Out, February 17, 1984, 4. “MCC Plans AIDS Vigil of Prayer.” Just Out, September 1, 1986, 5. “Pennsylvania Insurance Company Cancels Coverage on Portland MCC.” City Week 2, no. 27 (April 17, 1987): 1. Zon, Kate. “Religion and Civil Rights: Acts of Love?” Just Out, June 1, 1987, 10-11