Rino’s Restaurant on the southwest corner of the intersection began life as the First Christian Church. Built just after the turn of the 20th century by a parson who was also a stonemason and designer, it was abandoned by the church in 1922 for larger quarters up the street. At first, it was used by another congregation, but then it became a warehouse until about 20 years or so ago, when it was converted into a restaurant and bar. An interesting building in eclectic style, it formerly had a stained glass window in the large arched opening on the west. It still retains the lovely scrollwork in the gable. As you walk on up Walnut, you get increasingly better views of the Bloom Mansion, its lovely grounds, and the Victorian cutting garden.
