Ruins of an abandoned church – Gary, Indiana
CMC was shut down in the 70's due to a lack of attendance and suffered a fire in '97 (thanks to Corby for the correction!). To this day, stands in the streets of Gary, Indiana as a relic of the past - the vast sanctuary, shadowy hallways, and decaying innards a testament to the ravages of time.
After about three minutes of driving around a bit aimlessly, I saw a spire above a few old looking buildings about a street away from me. I navigated my way over and found myself at the base of one of the biggest and most beautiful abandoned buildings that I'd ever seen. The second I ducked into a side door, I knew that I'd found it. To the left, a stage littered with all sorts of clothing and wreckage. To the right, a small room leading into a huge sanctuary.
I left after snapping a few photos and returned later with Elise. Here are the results:
I plan on getting back there as soon as possible to take more photos - we had to give up eventually because the sun was quickly fading and our fingers were completely numb from the cold. I plan on exploring more of Gary with my camera soon in the future, as well as the surrounding areas.
Technorati Tags: urban exploration,abandoned,adventure,building,decay,photography,color,snow,rubble
February 29th, 2008 - 13:48
Great pictures…and I’ve seen 1000’s of City Methodist. One point of clarification, though… The church closed in 1975 after declining membership forced the congregation to abandon its mission. It went from 3,000 members in the 1950s to less than 200 at the time it offered its final service on October 5, 1975. The few people remaining could not afford the basic maintenance costs of the structure. The fire came much later, in 1997. Which makes me wonder… Does anyone have pictures of this place from 1975 to 1997?
February 29th, 2008 - 14:26
Thanks for the comments and corrections! Do you study Gary history or did you just take an interest in the building? It does have quite a history.
March 21st, 2008 - 16:28
omg.. good work, dude
April 8th, 2008 - 14:42
I am constantly amazed at folk who brave all the Gary is today to tour these ruins. Having been born, raised and educated in Gary, I would love to do so myself, someday. I would fear for my safety, I must admit.
All who are interested can take a safe, virtual tour of Gary by visiting the Dave’s Den web site. There is a lot, and I do mean alot, of “Steel City” info there.
April 8th, 2008 - 15:57
Thanks for the visit, Dave. Yeah, I fear for my safety,but I also travel in groups (usually four, sometimes more). I also carry with me mace and a giant club of a flashlight just in case.
So far, I haven’t run into anything horrible at all. Personable people interested in what I’m doing and other explorers for the most part. I guess I’ve gotten lucky so far – that’s why I’m looking into some insurance for my camera.
April 9th, 2008 - 15:00
Sorry for the late reply… I just recently became interested in City Methodist and Gary after having read a book by James Lewis, ‘The Protestant Experience in Gary, Indiana, 1906-1975: At Home in the City.’ Although I have a church background both academically and in practice, my interest is more in how a community can rise and fall as quickly as Gary. The first pastor of City Methodist, William Seaman, sought to bring an inclusive ministry into the city by offering a church that went beyond just Sunday morning preaching. The design of the campus bears this out. The gym, the education/commercial wing, and the sanctuary were all meant to feed more than just the soul. Looking at the structure now, some may argue that his experiment which lasted only 49 years failed, and miserably. Nevertheless, Seaman’s mission was noble and is worthy of reconsideration, not only in Gary, but in every community.
I keep wondering what purpose this space serves now. Sure, it’s an awesome spot to photograph. But why does this sanctuary stir the soul more than any well-lit, air-conditioned, meticulously maintained cathedral I can find in almost any city in America?
As it stands now — City Methodist represents the future if we do not reexamine what it means to be authentically human and in search of something better for all. I would love to be a part of an ongoing conversation about this place. In one sense, it may have been abandoned decades ago, but there is something powerful there worth rediscovering.
Anyone interested?
April 9th, 2008 - 15:46
Heading to Chicago on Verizon’s gps (a mistake I am so happy we made) we were directed to SR12 and when existing we found no SR 12 sign so we decided turn around making circle around the city’s block and we came across the same church and we quickly pulled out the camera with my daughter shouted let’s get out and go in and take pictures. Of course being older and thinking we are wiser we kept going but were able to take one picture. Of course having captured the beauty and not the sadness that over came us that day (4/5/08).
The mystery of those few seconds has been embedded in all four of our minds as long as we have the privilege to remember. I personally can not stop thinking about going back nor about why we didn’t stop (besides the fact that we had to pick our son up from the airport) that day. We knew instantly that that church had impacted us.
Corby expresses what has been going through our minds since that day. I think it stirs our souls because it does represent the possible future of our country, the chaos in our present time. My husband I recently went to New Orleans to visit our son who is working south of the city (Bursas and Venice) in environmental clean up and we can honestly say that the city looked just like Gary but they have a reason, KATRINA. What natural disaster hurt Gary? Was it man?
It tore our hearts to see the disaster left behind from Katrina still today and now seeing Gary we are even more confused. Do we wonder why we spend so much money abroad when we have so much hurt here…?
Kyle thanks for the pictures!!! Corby thanks for the history. I plan to return, this a history lesson for my children for them to share with theirs…
Lynette
August 27th, 2008 - 10:28
Where exactly is this church? I’m planning a Gary exploration, but I’ve never been there.
November 22nd, 2008 - 07:52
Right in downtown Gary – just west off of Broadway – I believe the corner of W. 6th and Washington. I popped in to City Church ~ 5 years ago and it is truly breathtaking.
I was in the area this week and had to stop in again. I can’t believe it is so easy to get in.
I get a feeling around every corner that I am going to find a dead body or something but have never seen anyone else there.
I am a Methodist pastor myself, so feel a huge kinship to the saga of this church.
The university near Gary – Indiana Univ. Northwest – has some of the permanent files of the church available for perusal – very interesting.
January 9th, 2009 - 00:58
I know exactly what you mean about the area. It feels like a ghost town in that area. I’ve only seen other photographers and explorers. I’ve seen some of the files available at IUN that a few friends posted and I found a few of the records in a search I did a while back. I’d really love to get back there sometime to see them in person.
January 15th, 2009 - 21:56
Very nice pictures – thanks for sharing them! Visiting these ruins can be a deeply moving experience. Here’s a link to a nice City Methodist slideshow on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cnVosO-OHk&feature=channel_page
Also, heres a site on urban exploration in Gary:
http://www.forbidden-places.net/urban-exploration-gary-indiana-ghost-town
January 25th, 2009 - 08:26
Dude, sick shots. I finally went in for the first time last week. The main chapel left me speechless for a few minutes.
January 25th, 2009 - 13:37
Thanks man. I figure you’re the Craig that I know. Either way, I agree. That place, as trafficked and “touristy” as it is, is my most favorite place. In the summer, I can just sit in it and listen to all of the noises around me. It’s such a beautiful place.
February 12th, 2009 - 18:04
I was blessed to attend this church in my childhood where I enjoyed the most wonderful and memorable times of my life. More importantly though, the church was annointed with God’s Holy Spirt and is the reason why myself and so many others can be proud to say we are Christians today. Amen.
February 25th, 2009 - 13:49
Hey awesome pics! We would like to use one of these pictures as our album cover. We have a hard rock band. Just wondering if that would be ok, or if these pics are copywritten. If so, would we be able to use them?
March 24th, 2009 - 15:17
My father was associate pastor at City Church 1969-1971. This was an amazing structure. When we first arrived in Gary I was amazed at the size of this building. In my time there I was able to navigate my way through every inch of that massive building. In it’s day the church housed one of the largest pipe organs in Indiana. It also had a full size (gym) basketball court on the third floor. There was also Seaman Hall, a 1000 seat auditorium that housed the Gary Civic Players. The bulding was so large that it had 27 full bathrooms with many equiped with showers. As a young guy (around 15yrs) I would go with my friends on a bus (from Miller) to 5th and broadway walk down in between the Gary hotel and the church pull the fire escape down then make our way to the third floor then end up in the gym and play basketball. Many good memories of that church, too bad for the vandalism and fires as it was a great structure.
March 24th, 2009 - 16:44
Thanks for your story Steve, it’s always really interesting to hear from people who have had firsthand experiences with the building before it was left to decay as it has.
It’s still beautiful and one can obviously get a sense of scale. I had no idea that there were 27 bathrooms, but the remaining areas are still massive and even though soil as covered the floor in the gym, you can still tell exactly what the room was used for.
March 31st, 2009 - 11:38
Hi Steve and all.
I am doing a project at Purdue Calumet on City church and was wondering if any of you have stories that you’d like to share about your experience there, especially if you attended while it was still open. Thanks for your help. i can be reached at celebratechris@gmail.com
April 4th, 2009 - 20:13
I always love these abandoned structures…but even when they are maintained, this high gothic style is phenomenal and it is always awe-inspiring. I have been in some of the big European cathedrals and it still stirs my spirit so much more than the sterile modern buildings. There is just something about the gothic.
May 3rd, 2009 - 13:48
i was at this church earlier today it is beautiful but quickly falling apart im glad i got to enjoy it before its gone
May 11th, 2009 - 22:46
I agree. It’s sad to see these places crumble. In the short amount of time that I’ve actually been visiting the place, a lot has changed.
June 8th, 2009 - 17:06
Hey!
Your photographs of this place is absolutely amazing. Although it is abandoned, there is an aura of life in each image. Where exactly is this place?!?
June 26th, 2009 - 15:40
I read about this in Camilo Jose Vergara’s books, as this ecclesiacal work could be stabilized possibly with the Federal Stimulus or of another source, as in San Antonio, Mission San Jose has been restored as a WPA project in the Depression.
July 6th, 2009 - 14:12
Does anyone know who owns the Church now? We were there yesterday and noticed the lack of any signs to stay out. We have a video project we would like to do there, but it would be two full days and if possible we would like to get permission.
July 10th, 2009 - 14:30
Mary Ann it is owned by the City of Gary. I am unsure of a contact dept to visit, but I will post the Gary web address along with a phone number for the the Gary Building Dept. Hope this helps.
I believe most people just walk up as they please. I know that they are shooting several scenes of the new Nightmare on Elm Street at this location
Best wishes.
http://www.gary.in.us
Tel (219)881-1377
August 10th, 2009 - 11:06
Oh my goodness…I am awed to see these photos. Thank you for having the curiosity to find this gorgeous place and to share these photos.
A lady who is now gone once told us that she attended CMC. She remembers that the choir would come out on the upper floor balcony singing, surrounding the congregation below, and then walking down the stairs. She said it was like Heaven. One day, I keep telling myself, I am going to get in my car and see this place for myself. I’m really touched that you–and the others who are writing in–care about this blessed place. To God be the glory!
August 10th, 2009 - 11:08
Oh, I forgot to ask: I read that the church is going to be demolished. Does anyone know if that is true?
August 10th, 2009 - 12:26
Anna, thanks for visiting, I always love hearing from people who appreciate this place and have had contact with others who experienced it when it was fully functional.
There were plans thrown back and forth of all sorts of plans for the church. I haven’t heard anything particularly recent about it being demolished, but in the past few years there have been murmurs of it possibly becoming a ruin garden. The second I hear any new news about the place I’ll be sure to post it.
August 10th, 2009 - 20:15
Gorgeous; thank you so much for posting these beautiful photos.
I want to be THERE. I want to be HERE.
September 17th, 2009 - 16:51
hey did you have to talk to someone to go into the church or is it open to the public. I ask this because i want to go and see t his church. Please write back.
November 14th, 2009 - 01:38
Two friends of mine and myself walked right in last weekend. There is a chain-link fence around the building, but the fence near the front door has been removed as I write this. We live here in NW Indiana. I think it hasn’t been torn down yet because 1) It sits next door-about 15 feet away from an occupied high-rise Senior Citizen complex-The old “Hotel Gary”, and because of that, 2) It would cost much more than any other building in the City to demolish.
November 14th, 2009 - 01:47
Also, I should report, there is a very large section of bricks near the front entrance, in which seedlings have taken root about 20 feet up. They have compromised all of the 84 year old mortar which once held the joints solidly.
The entryway could cave in at any time now.
While it is an amazing structure to photograph, it is extremely dangerous to enter this building. And I didn’t even mention the murder rate in this place once called “The City of the Century”.
December 22nd, 2009 - 11:09
One of things I love incorporating into my photographs is the surrounding architecture. Beautiful old church.
January 31st, 2010 - 14:58
Abandoned buildings fascinate me. I love your blog.
One of my favorites sites has been; http://www.opacity.us/
Thank you for this. You can do something some of us only dream of.