Some people wonder why I refuse to throw in the towel concerning my work with the church. Why do I keep reaching out...why am I so passionate about evangelism and outreach...
There are two links below that I'd like you to take a look at for some more "detail" after reading this post. The church (not just us but THEE church overall) is only one generation away from dying out. Today I would like to talk about "City Methodist Church" in Gary, Indiana. The first link at the bottom of the post has some pictures and information from it's 1967 directory.
These first two pictures are from historical postcards.
The next three are from the '67 directory.
In its heyday, CMC boasted a membership of 3,000 and the church was home to one of the largest Skinner organs in the state of Indiana. It was started in the 1920s and the sanctuary / education buildings that were erected cost $1 Million...IN 1925!!! By 1970 (remember, the first link is its 1967 directory), Sunday attendance had dwindled down to about 100. In 1975, the church closed its doors for good.
The second is a link to what City Methodist Church looks like today (a few pictures are below).
Bamboo and other hardwoods...growing in the narthex.
This Tears At My Soul...the crest is surrounded by the phrase
"To Serve The Present Age."
One of several of their "fellowship halls."
Try to imagine for a minute...how many times did a nervous groom smile at his bride as she walked down this aisle... how many fathers held their daughters and how many mothers hugged their sons during baptisms and confirmations? What did their Christmas Eve services feel like?
This story, and so many others like it, truly hurts my heart. This isn't from some ancient cathedral in Europe somewhere...it's from a church that closed it's doors after only 55 years.
HERE ARE THE LINKS:
http://www.faithfabric.com/tbh/gary/67directory.htm
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