City Methodist Church Ruins – Gary, IN

,

We spent a day in Gary, Indiana before embarking on our Route 66 adventure which started in nearby Chicago.  While we expected Route 66 to have buildings of times gone by in various states of ruin and rebirth, we did not expect this abandoned church to awe us with its beauty and its disrepair.  It was an experience like none other for me.

Gary was a booming industrial city built around the manufacturing of steel.  In 1926, U.S. Steel footed half of the astronomical $1,000,000 price tag to build this church.  The English Gothic styled church towered over 9 stories tall and housed a gym, theater, music studio, cafeteria, and commercial unit.  It had ornate stonework, molded arches, towering pillars, and plenty of stained glass windows. 

In the early 1970’s a drastic recession of global steel prices resulted in the economic devastation of the numerous cities across the “Rust Belt”.  Residents fled for the suburbs and Gary was brought to its knees.  The church could not adapt to the dwindling community and eventually closed in 1975.

The first approach to the church.
The first approach to the church.
1000042403
A several story part of the building with some of it underground too.
1000042409
The main church chapel area.
1000042412
The grand entrance to the chapel.
1000042432
The intricate arch and detail work above the entry door.
1000042422
Down the side by the entrance, the church is overrun by vines of grapes.
1000042411
Sign out front.
1000042410
Other side of sign out front.

The church is nearly 100 years old and has spent half its life neglected.  All that neglect has resulted in the roof collapsing which then expedited the decay throughout the rest of the interior.  It was quite eerie to look thru the dingy broken windows and see bright blue sky instead of a roof to protect the structure.

1000042416
Looking thru the windows to the sky above.
1000042431
A closer view of the interior of the chapel.
1000042430
A closeup of a broken window reveals some intricate stonework behind it.

We did come across some local inhabitants who had taken up residence in the vineyards but we didn’t bother them and they didn’t bother us.  While I was on guard and not quite brave enough to venture inside behind some broken plywood, we felt safe-ish walking the exterior.

A pretty little mourning dove just hanging out. Hopefully she isn't actually mourning anything.
A pretty little mourning dove just hanging out. Hopefully she isn’t actually mourning anything.
Can you see her friend? They sure do blend in!
Can you see her friend? They sure do blend in!

Back on the side where we could see all 3 sections of the facility there seemed to be a large building to the left, a central building set back from the sidewalk with a jungle courtyard and then the church chapel to the right.  While the courtyard was severely overgrown and quite dense from the street, I did find a hobbit trail that led to the interior space.  After a pep talk I put on my big girl panties and decided to brave the path to see if I could find anything else.  The hobbit trail didn’t disappoint!

1000042457
After ducking thru the bushes near the chapel the courtyard area opened up to the left with a view of the first building and the one set back.
1000042444
A bit more of the view of the center building and another entrance.
1000042445
The entrance to the middle building. Directly to the right is the chapel.
1000042448
I didn't go inside but did get a dlimpse thru the broken window in the door.
1000042442
The ivy on the left here is the ivy to the right of the door. I'm standing on the top step looking into the chapel.
1000042450
Another look into the chapel from further down the path. If you look close you may see stained glass! You'd never guess from outside.

This area provided me with my favorite photo of the excursion.

Looking through the pillars and arches, across the chapel to the remaining stained glass with the blue sky shining down from above. You can see the stonework like we saw from the outside. Hard to believe that dingy exterior glass was hiding this beauty!
Looking through the pillars and arches, across the chapel to the remaining stained glass with the blue sky shining down from above. You can see the stonework like we saw from the outside. Hard to believe that dingy exterior glass was hiding this beauty!

The architecture and structure of this building is fascinating to me.  With the crumbling exterior you can see the internal methods of construction.  

1000042438
Part of the collapsed roof visible in the chapel.
1000042458
Ornate adornments can be found everywhere you look.
1000042460
The first building seems to have a lower level or basement.
1000042461
I thought it was interesting the way the inner construction of the arch was basic brick and mortar that was clad in the much nicer stone. It wasn't until I was editing my pictures did I notice the blood like substance coming from the window above. Yikes!

It definitely looks like this abandoned church has truly been overrun by vines and shrubs and is decaying beyond repair.  I was happy to learn that in 2017 it was awarded a grant to develop the church into a “ruins gardens park” with an amphitheater for weddings and receptions.  In 2019 they also received funds and removed a lot of asbestos.  That will hopefully open the path for additional review of the structural integrity and what is needed to move forward with the project.

While it is now a popular spot for urban explorers, photo shoots and even small weddings, it also has had its 15 minutes of fame on the big screen.  It was a filming location for Transformers 3, The Nightmare on Elm Street, and the series Sense 8.

I truly hope this piece of history sees its share of revival so that future generations can appreciate the beauty of this beast and be a symbol of rebirth for the residents of Gary.

1000042465
Smurf-vette visits the City Methodist Church.
1000042470
Mom and I, excited we made it out in one piece.

Thank you for coming along on this adventure with us!  Leave me a comment and tell me what you thought of this relic!