First United Methodist Church, Moscow
Moscow, Latah County

Location: 322 E 3rd Street, Moscow, ID 83843

Construction on the church building was begun in 1902 and finished and dedicated eighteen months later on April 24, 1904. It is constructed of local basalt rock quarried on Paradise Ridge south of Moscow. According to the University of Idaho College of Architecture, it is one of the largest buildings of basalt rock in the United States. Basalt is not usually used as a building material. According to John Phillips, owner of Associated Crafts, “The windows are classic American opalescent glass. They consist of small lead in an intricate design. The pattern is high quality and expensive to duplicate. The actual glass is most likely from the historic Kokomo opalescent glass works. The Kokomo was made famous as a supplier to Tiffany Studios. The windows also contain hand painted symbols. These symbols are painted by hand and kiln fired. I believe it is likely that the studio that commissioned these works of art was Kansas City Art Class.” The church is in the National Register of Historic Places.