Intown churches—closed, closing, or in danger of closing?

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by bu2

I think Druid Hills UMC is mostly being "repurposed" as opposed to levelled.

Good to know. Better.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

I agree and that what I meant too.


I think what happens inside the church has to stay relevant to the community or die. That is where they compete in their local community in the market place of ideas.

Of course.

[Saintmarks]

I can think of any number of churches in Atlanta that changed occupants. Many congregations did the white flight thing and moved to the burbs and sold the property to predominantly black congregations. That might be the most common way to re-purpose.

I am of the ilk that the people are the church, not the building. But in cases like this Druid Hills building, the architecture and history of the place does deserve a new lease on life, even if the congregation has aged and dwindled and the current corporate group needs to shut their operation down.

My opinion only, but consulting with myself on my memory of the Scott Boulevard church, it did NOT hold the architectural interest of the Druid Hill UMC, so no big loss there. It was prominent on that stretch of road, but the building had little flair.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

I can think of any number of churches in Atlanta that changed occupants. Many congregations did the white flight thing and moved to the burbs and sold the property to predominantly black congregations. That might be the most common way to re-purpose.

I am of the ilk that the people are the church, not the building. But in cases like this Druid Hills building, the architecture and history of the place does deserve a new lease on life, even if the congregation has aged and dwindled and the current corporate group needs to shut their operation down.

My opinion only, but consulting with myself on my memory of the Scott Boulevard church, it did NOT hold the architectural interest of the Druid Hill UMC, so no big loss there. It was prominent on that stretch of road, but the building had little flair.

However, like jeoff mentioned earlier, the brick, etc. Protestant churches that dot the Southern landscape (urban, suburban, exurban, and rural) are such a part of our cultural and architectural fabric. To lose them, to me, is to lose Southern-ness.

I think most should be preserved and re-purposed.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by aries4118

However, like jeoff mentioned earlier, the brick, etc. Protestant churches that dot the Southern landscape (urban, suburban, exurban, and rural) are such a part of our cultural and architectural fabric. To lose them, to me, is to lose Southern-ness.

I think most should be preserved and re-purposed.

Agreed on a big scale but really don't think that is happening. That one specific church campus was not of great interest so won't decry it, but would if there was a marked trend.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Agreed on a big scale but really don't think that is happening. That one specific church campus was not of great interest so won't decry it, but would if there was a marked trend.

I hope it is not happening. You really believe it is not a trend?

[jeoff]

ok. i sorta lied. only the area around the church is torn up. fifty-something flats, homes, townhomes going in.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by jeoff

ok. i sorta lied. only the area around the church is torn up. fifty-something flats, homes, townhomes going in.

Whew. I just hope they are respectful to what they have in that church; it was designed and built by the firm of Ivey and Crook, esteemed members of the Atlanta school of "American Classicists". You have this group to thank for some of the most beautiful buildings in this city.

Neel Reed
Philip Shutze
Buck Crook
Edward Vason Jones

http://buckcrook.info/images/churches/job575.jpg

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by aries4118

I hope it is not happening. You really believe it is not a trend?

I can't think of many examples to call this a trend. Other than the aforementioned Scott Blvd Baptist and First Baptist Atlanta, can't really think of any that were flat out demolished in metro Atlanta. My brother was at FBC Atlanta when the decision was made to sell, from my recollection, the building was in serious bad shape and the cost to make things right was astronomical. For the amount they could relocate vs. what that prime property was worth, it made sense all the way around.

I'm scratching my brain and can't think of many other examples. Being Southern Baptist and educated in not only one of its universities, but one of its seminaries as well, I can tell you that there was an inside joke that Baptists grew by division. Some group at First Baptist got mad at a new pastor and split and started Northside Baptist. Then there was an argument there and a group split and started Calvary Baptist. Then a group split from there and founded Parkway Boulevard Baptist. Now I am not saying that Scott Boulevard BC is in that category, but as someone with a background in the SBC, I don't consider the loss of a non historical congregation with a building of little architectural interest a loss EVERY time.