These are just two of the large and elaborate brick arches on the side of a once-proud church. Located on East Palm Avenue, the building is boarded up and abandoned. It's clear to me that when it was built it was well-designed and carefully constructed. Look closely at the fine details used even at the foundation and at the roofline. This is a big building and was an expensive project. I imagine there were many years of collections to help pay off the new sanctuary debt. When did it first open its doors to a congregation? When did it host its last church service? I don't know. Although overall church attendance may be dropping off in some parts of the U.S., and many Protestant denominations have seen a decline in membership, it still hurts to see a building that was a once a big part of people's lives and the heart of a community sadly close and be forgotten. Looking at the architectural elements used throughout and the type of construction materials, it's a certainty that unless it is deliberately demolished, this mighty old house of worship will be standing for a very long time.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Abandoned and forgotten
These are just two of the large and elaborate brick arches on the side of a once-proud church. Located on East Palm Avenue, the building is boarded up and abandoned. It's clear to me that when it was built it was well-designed and carefully constructed. Look closely at the fine details used even at the foundation and at the roofline. This is a big building and was an expensive project. I imagine there were many years of collections to help pay off the new sanctuary debt. When did it first open its doors to a congregation? When did it host its last church service? I don't know. Although overall church attendance may be dropping off in some parts of the U.S., and many Protestant denominations have seen a decline in membership, it still hurts to see a building that was a once a big part of people's lives and the heart of a community sadly close and be forgotten. Looking at the architectural elements used throughout and the type of construction materials, it's a certainty that unless it is deliberately demolished, this mighty old house of worship will be standing for a very long time.
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6 comments:
It looks like the people left and the plants and probably animals moved in. Strong old buildings like tha make great subjects for photography.
It's sad to see such a fine structure sitting empty, it's such a waste,in my honest opinion.
Sunny :)
Certainly looks like it has seen better days.
This is sad to see. I hope it gets rescued one day!
But as James pointed out, it is still of purpose. The plants and animals are colonizing there, worshipping in their own slow, quiet way. Thoughtful capture, Frank.
One has to wonder what happened to that congregation. Do you know the denomination? Often when one group moves out of a church building, another moves in...not in this case, evidently.
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