2026 Preservation Awards | Advent Christian Church
Thursday, May 14th 2026
WINNER | Revitalization (any ownership or use)
Advent Christian Church | 1419 Anthony Avenue
Gretchen Lambert and Stanford Gardner — Property Owners
For more than eight decades, 1419 Anthony Avenue has been an institutional landmark within the Cottontown neighborhood. Constructed in 1942 as the Greater Carolina Baptist Church, the building today demonstrates how creative adaptive reuse can transform a a historic church into a private residence while retaining its architectural identity.
Owners Gretchen Lambert and Stanford Gardner approached their project with a commitment to reversing earlier alterations and restoring historic materials. They removed vinyl siding and removed replacement windows, revealing and repairing the original wood siding and installing historically appropriate windows. They daylighted the enclosed front porch and replaced exterior doors with designs compatible with the building’s historic appearance. Throughout the project they coordinated efforts closely with City of Columbia staff to qualify for the Bailey Bill program.
Inside, they thoughtfully adapted the former sanctuary for use as the home’s primary living space. Original features including the wood ceiling, plaster walls, and wood windows with textured glass were retained, while the original wood floors were refinished. An in-floor baptismal font discovered beneath the carpet was preserved as a reminder of the building’s earlier use.
The lower level of the church now houses a music studio, office, guest space, and supporting rooms, while the former fellowship hall addition was transformed into the primary bedroom suite, screened porch, and garage.
Through careful design and respect for historic fabric, the project shows how preservation can allow historic buildings to evolve while keeping their architectural and cultural stories alive.
Images courtesy of Gretchen Lambert, Stanford Gardner, and Kickstand Studios.
Before & After | Exterior
Before & After | Kitchen
Before & After | Living Area
Check out some of the other 2026 Preservation Award recipients:
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2026 Preservation Awards | Lydia Mattice Brandt
Dr. Lydia Mattice Brandt received the 2026 Preservation Leadership Award for advancing public understanding of Columbia’s built environment through scholarship, teaching, and community engagement that strengthens historic preservation in both practice and principle.