215 Oxford Avenue
PhotosLegacy VersionGeneral Information
No: 215
Street: Oxford
House Name: Raymond & Pearl (Breiling) Christopher House
Historic Plaque: Y 2008
Owner Info: Y
Built: 1912/3
Sec: 23
Subdivision: Sibley
Lot: 15-17
Architect: E. J. Schulte
Cont/build: Cornish?
Description:
1 1/2 story stucco
Bungalow, gable with front dormer.
Owners: 2
Original Use: Residential
Current Use: Residential
CHANGES:
As Built: N
Added To: Y
Subtracted From: N
Replaced: N
Description Of Changes: F 1925 - garage. 1993 - kitchen bay and window. 1993 - permit for Helen Barnett to enclose the porch (Neal's Construction Co., architect & contractor). 2009 permit for interior & exterior alterations.
Stories:
Story 1: Helen Barnett inherited the bungalow from her mother Pearl Breiling Christopher (see 302 Oxford). Pearl married Raymond Christopher December 13, 1911 and they built their home here in 1912. See 305-1 New Street for more family history. More genealogical material in family notebook.Story 2: There is an article about Helen Christopher Barnett in the June 2001 issue of Village Views.
Story 3: Compare to 400 Stanton. Is this Craftsman style? Some call this Prairie Style.
Story 4: Mystery - this house is said to be a copy/modification/variation/similar to 209 Cambridge. It was built for Ray Christopher in 1912/13. The house looks like the Sears house The Hollywood and has interior features of that Sears house but has the architect listed as E. J. Schulte. Model dates for The Hollywood are 1916-24.
Cindy Cattanzaro, Sears researcher, says it's a common design of the period, but not a Sears model.
Story 5: Pearl Ida (nee Breiling) Christopher was born 7 September, 1887 and died 19 March 1984, aged 96 years, buried in Rest Haven, Blue Ash OH. Jack Breiling Christopher, son of Ray & Pearl, was born 8 November 1914 & died (aged 75 years) 14 August 1990, buried 20 August in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati OH. Stirling-Gerber Funeral Home, probably in Canton OH. Helen Christopher Barnett, Jack's sister, died 8 May 2013 and will be buried in the St. Thomas Columbarium. A life-long member of St. Thomas and Terrace Park, Helen's family roots in our community reach four generations! Described as 'powerful but quiet,' Helen devoted herself to the community she loved. In her 96 years, Helen not only was active at St. Thomas, she was a charter member of the Terrace Park Historical Society and was an active supporter of the arts throughout Cincinnati. In her parish, Helen was active in all aspects of parish life, serving on Vestry, Sunday School, the Healing Ministry and as a member of the founding Board of the St. Thomas Housing Corporation, helping to make the dream or Thomaston Woods a reality. Her love of learning and her faith led her to complete Education for Ministry, a four-year lay theological program through Sewanee.