If it has been a while since you cruised through the intersection of 22nd and Broadway on the city’s Eastside, you might notice that something is missing.
The stately historic church building that once housed Grace Apostolic Church is now gone. Over the last few weeks, the limestone structure was emptied, then demolished by a crane, attracting the attention of curious and disappointed onlookers.
Among them was Tiffany Benedict Berkson, founder of Historic Indianapolis, a community organization that raises awareness about historic buildings throughout the city that face possible demolition.
“It pained me to see this building coming down for a couple of reasons,” Berkson said. “First, it was a beautiful structure. To watch it meet the wrecking ball to make way for what might be a (parking) lot seems like a tragic and undignified end to its life.”
Constructed in 1908, the building housed three other congregations before its purchase by Grace Apostolic Church in 1963. In 1991, the church opened a new facility with a 2,200 seat sanctuary right next door at 22nd and College.
Although the church no longer worshipped in the old building, it was still used for educational programs and other gatherings as recently as this past summer.
Nolan Duncan, the church’s senior administrator, said it was discovered that the older building would need more than $1 million in repairs for a complete renovation. Significant termite damage that began during the ‘60s, he stated, had infested the wooden shell of the building, and would have led to an eventual collapse of the ceiling.
“It became a major safety factor for our congregation,” Duncan said.
Also, major repairs would have been needed to upgrade the lighting, electrical and plumbing systems, and to make the building handicapped accessible.
Like the owners of a beloved, terminally ill pet that is put to sleep, the congregation made the difficult decision to let the facility be torn down.
More than just a building
The 113-year-old building held a special place in the hearts of longtime Grace Apostolic Church members, as well as preservationists and Pentecostal Christians throughout the state and nation who value the denomination’s history.
It is best remembered as the place where Bishop Morris Golder, a highly respected leader among Pentecostals, developed one of the city’s fastest growing ministries.
Known for his powerful, rhythmic style of preaching, Golder established Grace Apostolic Church in 1953, and later moved the congregation from services at the old Rex Theatre to the building at 22nd and Broadway. Golder created numerous outreach ministries, wrote several books, operated a popular Sunday morning radio program on WTLC-FM and led the church to its current facility before his death in 2000.
“The (old) building was definitely a reminder of the preaching, teaching and all the community service that went forth from the church under Bishop Golder,” Duncan said. “It was definitely a good era.”
Bishop J. Laverne Tyson, pastor of Christ Church Apostolic, has fond memories of the previous Grace Apostolic Church building.
Before Tyson’s family move to Indianapolis, his father, the late Bishop James E. Tyson, was the pastor of a church in Ohio. While growing up there, the younger Tyson began dating his wife Linda, and the two enjoyed listening to “Perfect Time Priest,” an album of Golder’s sermons.
“At the time, Bishop Golder was an icon known throughout the country and world. I had to see him and Grace in person,” Tyson said.
Tyson eventually drove from Ohio to Indianapolis one day, and said the sight of Grace’s church was like encountering Jerusalem.
“Seriously,” Tyson said. “It was one of the iconic places I longed to see. I remember sitting in front of that building for over a half hour thinking, ‘I’m here. I’m finally here.’ Of course, I also had a flat tire, but that was my first great memory of Grace.”
The future
According to Duncan, once the historic church’s lot is clear of debris, it will be made into a grass garden, possibly with trees and various plants.
“It will enhance the landscaping of both the church and the neighborhood,” Duncan said.
He added that the church also wants to keep space open for now until it decides on future plans, which may include construction of a new family life center and parking lot.
“We can sit on the back burner and whine about what’s not there anymore, or we can look forward to moving straight ahead,” Duncan added. “We’re moving ahead.”
The fate of Grace Apostolic Church’s former home raises more awareness about other predominantly African-American congregations dealing with historic church structures that have fallen into disrepair. Some of them are more than a century old with frames that were built of wood, which can decay with weather damage and infestations from pests.
In October, Holy Angels Catholic Church, on the near Northwestside, announced that it was being forced to close its 108-year-old building due to health concerns. Leaking water from the deteriorating roof caused severe damage to the ceiling and walls, leaving them on the verge of collapse and mold to appear in several areas.
At press time, Holy Angels was holding worship services at Marian University, and plans had not been finalized for a new structure.
Another aging structure owned by Phillips Temple CME Church, which was built in 1920 and is located at 1226 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., is scheduled for demolition in September if no one purchases the building.
Berkson, of Historic Indianapolis, encourages residents to be more observant and pay attention to buildings that once played a prominent role in the community but are now abandoned.
She encourages people to get involved in organizations such as Indiana Landmarks and the Indiana Historical Society to help find buyers for historic structures, or make a donation to funds that pay for renovations.
“It blows my mind that architectural gems in this city are being destroyed,” she said. “We can always look for ways to find viable reuses for these places.”
