(Michigan City, IN) - The pastor of a church that’s fallen into major disrepair in Michigan City is asking for time to bring the very historic looking structure back up to code before possible condemnation.
The city recently placed barricades around God’s Grace Church at 301 E. Barker Ave. as a public safety precaution because of an outside brick wall facing a sidewalks appearing to be at risk of collapse.
There’s a noticeable bulge in the wall and numerous cracks in the masonry work.
Minister Lisa Jackson said the city also had utility service to the building turned off. Understanding the concerns yet feeling the sudden action was a bit extreme, Jackson said she is now afraid the city will next condemn the building and have it torn down before the church can arrange for the necessary repairs.
“We want to keep our church but not under the threat of investing thousands to come out on a Monday and there’s a bulldozer ready,” she said during the November 18 meeting of the city’s Board of Public Works & Safety.
Jackson is the interim pastor at the church, filling in for Jack Benning while he deals with medical issues she described as serious.
She said a contract for hiring a professional to start the process of repairing the wall and foundation is under review by her congregation.
Due to uncertainty right now about the amount of work necessary to bring the building into compliance along with cost, she asked the city to hold off on taking any further steps while the problems are being addressed.
“If we present a timeline would the city be willing to work with us,” she said.
Jackson said efforts are also underway to apply for historic designation status for the building she described as the community’s first ever Scandinavian church. Scandinavian churches in Michigan City with congregations of Swedish and Norwegian descent in Michigan City date back to the late 1800’s, according to history.
Jackson said a historic designation would make the building eligible for outside sources of revenue to help with the repairs and future maintenance, she said.
The concern over safety is heightened not just by the presence of children living nearby but those walking to and from Marsh Elementary School across the street from the church.
The board also heard from resident Kathy Stransky, who expressed heart felt sentiments for the church she has lived close to for nearly 60 years.
“I, too, have feelings for that church, but the church is dangerous at this point for the neighbors and the children,” she said.
She’s also worried about the potential of children playing on a concrete stairway with a gap between the top of the stairway and back door of the church.
“That bothers me, too,” she said.
Skyler York, the city’s Director of Planning and Inspection, said chances are the building will be condemned but, like with any unsafe structure, contractors would be allowed to go inside the church for the repairs.
York said any demolition order is the last resort once all previous attempts have failed to get properties into compliance with local codes.
“We work with people all of the time. It’s more important for us to work with the owner to try and get it fixed,” he said.
