Gary city officials have long thought the former City Methodist Church that lies in ruins at Broadway and Washington streets has a certain charm that could be exploited for tourism. Now, they're asking the public to weigh in on how.
A workshop to gather thoughts has been scheduled for March 22 at the one-time Gary State Bank building, 504 Broadway. That is one block north of the church, which opened in 1925 and ceased to be used for worship in October 1975.
Residents will be asked how the structure could be used and how it could look — with ideas put in writing or drawn on a blank floor. This is similar to the process during a Preservation Tour in downtown Gary last summer where residents could write suggestions about the church and other structures on chalkboards erected for that purpose.
Staff from The Field Museum and the Legacy Foundation, both Chicago institutions offering advice on the project, will be at the workshop to provide information and answer questions.
Officials from Bailey Edward and ARSEE Engineers have done a study for the Gary Redevelopment Commission on how much structural work would be needed to make the church safe to enter. Portions of the roof have collapsed and normally it is fenced off to protect it from vandals.
The detailed assessment of the church's physical condition also offers suggestions on how the sanctuary, bell tower and a façade of the fellowship hall can be renovated.
"The structural survey report from Bailey Edward was our first step toward making the ruins garden idea a reality," said Sarah Kobetis, city deputy planning director. "It outlines what elements of the structure can be saved, what elements are dangerous and need to be demolished, and a step-by-step process for realistically accomplishing our goals.
"The workshop will give us the opportunity to show residents what's possible and what's not, so we can figure out the next steps for the project as a community," Kobetis said.
Commission officials have said portions of the church, once home to a congregation of several thousand Methodists, are salvageable and that stabilization would enable the city to demolish the auditorium and administration block, which are on the verge of collapse if nothing is done. They say those portions are too costly to restore.
City officials, noting the overgrowth of ivy and other wild plant life on the structure, have suggested the idea of a "unique ruins garden park" be encouraged. They have said they envision public gatherings there, including weddings, reunions and art performances.
Studies were paid with a grant last year of just over $160,000 from the Knight Cities Challenge, and city officials say they expect to apply for more grants from various groups to advance development of the project.
After serving as a church for 50 years, the structure closed due to a declining congregation. Neglect and vandalism took a toll, but a 1997 fire caused much of the damage that remains today.
The structure occasionally has been used by performers, such as in the "Transformer" films and the Netflix series "Sense 8."