Then, Now and Forever® Collection Highlight: St. Marks Yreka Church

Color and History

Looking out across a timeline of history, distinct color stories emerge throughout the eras. These color stories trends are influenced by tastes, as well as social events and trends that define the times. As a way to honor the human connection to color, and the history and culture it brings to life, we created our Then, Now and Forever® paint collection. The collection consists of a curated line of 142 historically-accurate paint colors inspired by historic architecture of the American West and also 158 trending paint colors. All the paint colors of which tell a story of aesthetics and trends from architectural eras ranging the 1800s to the present day, including such movements as Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and Mid-Century.

Dunn-Edwards worked with Architectural Resources Group (ARG) to ensure the accuracy of each of the 142 historic colors in our Then, Now & Forever® Collection. ARG is a collective of architects, planners, and conservators who believe in the value that history adds to modern life, and work specifically in preserving historic structures. Each of our 142 historically-accurate paint colors were carefully matched to actual samples that ARG collected from historic buildings and sites across the American west. These include historic resources such as the rectory at St. Mark’s Church in Yreka, California.

About St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

The structure that is known as St. Mark’s Episcopal Church was built in 1880 and was originally under the name of the Church of St. Laurence. A short time later, in 1885, the church was re-consecrated as St. Mark’s, a moniker that endured for over a century. Similarly, the building functioned as a church, holding regular church services for 130 years; finally holding its last service in December 2010. Built originally with soaring ceilings supported by a system of arches, the church building itself is a unique sight to behold. However, in 1962 the church building suffered a devastating fire. The interior was rebuilt due to extensive damage, leaving only the building’s original exterior. Just to the left of the church building, a rectory was constructed for the congregation’s clergy some time between 1880 and 1889.

Photo Credit: Architectural Resources Group

When it comes to architectural styles, St. Mark’s church rectory is a mixture of stick style Victorian architecture and Gothic Revival, combining elements of two popular styles of the time

As we’ve seen with other stick style Victorian architectural resources, like The Bell House , this late Victorian style is identified by its exterior use of decorative arts and linear "stickwork"; a look that’s meant to mimic the appearance of a half-timbered frame. Gothic Revival architecture was a nod to medieval forms and is most notable for such architectural elements as high pitched roofs, windows with pointed arches, and spires. 

Today, the church and its auxiliary buildings, which include the Victorian rectory, are known as St. Mark’s Preservation Square after being acquired by the Yreka Preservation Corporation. The goal of the Yreka Preservation Corporation, per their website, is to help identify, educate, protect and enhance buildings, places, or events of historical significance in the community. The facility is today offered as an event rental space for the community for such purposes ranging from concerts to meetings, weddings, and so much more.

Historic Victorian Paint Colors of the St. Mark’s Yreka Church Rectory

When ARG conservators first evaluated the church rectory, they found an original interior palette that included muted tones of gray-blue, gold, and mauve. On the exterior they uncovered a dusty white paint color. Here’s is a complete palette of these historic paint colors from our Then, Now and Forever® Collection derived from St. Mark’s Yreka Church Rectory.

From top, left to right: Where the Buffalo Roam (DET480); Smoke & Ash (DET514); Yreka! (DET594); Life Aquatic (DET607); Industrial Age (DET618); Pueblo White (DET675); Rose Mauve (DET403); Heart of Gold (DET656).

For more background on how the West’s various architectural icons have informed the colors in the Then, Now & Forever® Collection, take a look at our guide to Victorian-era architecture. You can also learn more about other specific architectural resources that inspired our historically-accurate paint collection such as the Locke Boarding House in northern California, Riverside’s Mission Inn, and homes of iconic architect Cliff May.