Comments on: Ruins of an abandoned church - Gary, Indiana http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/ City Eyes in Writing Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:15:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Meagan http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-443 Meagan Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:28:50 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-443 Where exactly is this church? I'm planning a Gary exploration, but I've never been there. Where exactly is this church? I’m planning a Gary exploration, but I’ve never been there.

]]> By: Lynette http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-302 Lynette Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:46:30 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-302 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 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

]]> By: Corby http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-301 Corby Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:00:50 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-301 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? 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?

]]> By: Kyle http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-296 Kyle Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:57:29 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-296 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. 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.

]]> By: Dave Yaros http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-295 Dave Yaros Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:42:19 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-295 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 <a href="http://GDYNets.WebNG.com" rel="nofollow"> Dave's Den</a> web site. There is a lot, and I do mean alot, of "Steel City" info there. 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.

]]> By: Haleyfc http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-272 Haleyfc Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:28:04 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-272 omg.. good work, dude omg.. good work, dude

]]> By: Kyle http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-242 Kyle Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:26:28 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-242 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. 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.

]]> By: Corby http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-241 Corby Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:48:26 +0000 http://www.cityeyesphoto.com/blog/2008/02/25/urban-exploration/#comment-241 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? 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?

]]>