Former Presbyterian Church Slated to be Demolished

Tuesday, February 09, 2016 - Posted 7:23:29 PM

Probably the most beautiful building in Minonk is slated to be demolished by the Fieldcrest School District. The former Presbyterian Church that sits next to the school was purchased by the school about 10 years ago and was intended to be used for offices and for public events such as plays and musicals. Unfortunately, the building was used as a storage area as the pictures below will show.

The Presbyterian Church building was built in 1917 and made possible through the generous gift of Mr. B. M. Stoddard who offered to furnish half of the cost. The total cost amounted to a little over thirty-one thousand dollars. The building was dedicated on June 10, 1917.

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Thus Minonk is in danger of losing another of its historic and beautiful buildings. It is a sad commentary to have a house of worship with so many memories to be relegated to the garbage heap of progress.

The Fieldcrest Board of Education said at its last meeting that it plans to first sell all the viable items in the church building before beginning demolition. Board members said it is too expensive to fix up because of the building code requirements of a public building. This article will hopefully elicit the interest of private developers who can renovate the building at far less cost than the school can.

The pictures below were taken 18 months ago. We do not know what the inside of the building looks like now.

The pews are used to store all kinds of stuff from books to gadgets of all kinds.

While the church is structurally sound, the interior has been allowed to deteriorate as the building has not been heated for 2 years.

This is the upstairs balcony with plaster from the ceiling laying on the floor.

Above is a view of the atrium in the center of the church.

Discarded computers are stored in the building.

We have no idea what this stuff is or why it belongs to the school. This stuff is stored in the pews.

Another example of the building's beautiful architecture and its damage.

More boxes of stuff.

Old desks and chairs are stored in the basement.

This is the entrance or foyer in the church building.

Comments

Gary Porter: Is it for sale? If so what is the asking price? This one looks like a easy fix.

Minonktalk: I believe the school will sell the building if an offer is made. You should contact the school superintendent, Dr. Dan Oakley.

Gary Porter: I've done more with alot less. Question is : What could it be used for? What does Minonk need for the most bang for your buck? Does it have a woman's shelter? Where does Minonk hold its city council meetings, with room for public seating? Someone needs to start the go fund me page. First to buy the building, second for emergency repairs, and then ongoing maintenance .

Gary Porter: Does Minonk have a place for plays and or concerts? Pontiac just built one, and its a hit. Weddings and receptions?

Minonktalk: The building could be used as a community center, a reception hall, or a history museum. MInonk has none of these now. But all that would require public money. City Hall already has a meeting room. Also could be made into a private home.

Martha Owens: Go, Gary. You might be the right person to take this on www.puretimes.net .

Becky Peiffer: Does anyone know what it was purchased for?

Cindy Cunningham Guetschow: This makes me so sad . I hope someone comes forward who will buy it and put it to good use

Amy Arndt: I attended the Presbyterian Church as a child & have wonderful memories of the building & the people. It would be a shame to see it destroyed.

Becky Peiffer: I would love to buy the church

Dan Gansch-Boythe: I do hope someone can come up with a viable alternative. The building holds a lot of history, spiritual and otherwise.

Debra Cruise: Minonk is my home town, where I was fortunate to attend school and live. This building is too beautiful and historical to be demolished. There should be enough people to come together to help save the church building. Has this ever been brought to a council meeting?

MinonkTalk:The school asked the city last year if they would help in restoring the church but the city declined.