BY SARAH STEPHENS, OWNER/EDITOR
Since last year’s Wetumpka tornado caused much destruction to historic downtown, church members of First Baptist in Wetumpka knew they had a difficult decision to make.
A building that is listed on the National Historic Register, is not necessarily protected from demolition if the property owner wants it removed. “The National Register does not restrict a property owner’s private property rights. Owners of National Register properties can remodel, renovate, sell, or even demolish their property with no restrictions. However, significant modifications may result in removal from the National Register.”
This is a hot topic of discussion currently in Wetumpka, as many are learning of a recent vote at the First Baptist Church that would allow for the original sanctuary (circa 1846) to be demolished. The church is located at 205 Bridge Street and received significant damage from the tornado. The roof was lost, including the steeple and the original bell was torn away and found nearby.
An emotional issue, the EAN has already fielded many calls and emails concerning the possible destruction of the original sanctuary. Area officials have been contacted by various historical agencies asking for help to save the building.
We placed a call to the church and spoke with Senior Pastor Dr. James Troglen about the recent vote, what it means, and what the future may hold.
“Many of those with opinions on this have no tie to this church whatsoever,” Dr. Troglen said. “They were not in the meeting.”
Dr. Troglen said it is a bit disconcerting that anyone, who does not have access to all of the facts, is putting out information on what will no doubt be an emotional issue.
“This is a little touchy for us right now,” he said.
Officers of the Elmore County Historical Society are lamenting the recent decision by First Baptist Church for demolition rather than repair and renovation. The church was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1977 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
“In accordance with recommendations from the National Register, we ask the church leadership to prayerfully consider contacting our local State Historic Preservation Office, the Alabama Historical Commission, before taking any further action,” a statement from the Society reads.
According to the National Register: “In 1935 First Baptist Church was photographed and documented by the Historic American Building Survey, a project of the federal government that ultimately recorded hundreds of Alabama buildings and structures. This is perhaps an under-appreciated fact about the church: it was considered significant enough by its architecture and history to be part of this wise and monumental effort on the part of the government to keep a meticulous record of America’s built history. Alabama’s archive was second only to Virginia’s in its size and scope; unfortunately, nearly 40% of the buildings documented since 1935 have been destroyed, sometimes by natural disaster but mostly by the actions of people, whether neglect or actual planned destruction.”
As for Troglen and the membership at First Baptist Church, for the past year, a church committee has been exploring an answer to the very real problem involving the original sanctuary. In the storm, the roof was taken, rainwater invaded causing significant damage to the trusses and beams and interior of the structure. Mold is now present throughout the original structure.
The building has been sealed off to the public for safety concerns. Part of the ceiling has fallen because of the damage. A temporary roof was put on the building to try and minimize further damage, but it is not a permanent solution.
While Dr. Troglen would not give an exact estimate on the cost to renovate the building, he did say it is a staggering amount. He said it is up the church to decide if those funds would be better served in a new facility, or renovations to the more modern buildings. In his 17-plus years as a pastor at First Baptist, he said there has been very limited use of the original sanctuary.
“The committee met and struggled over the past year and brought a recommendation which was voted on by members of the church,” Dr. Troglen said. “By a 70 percent margin, that vote was to bring the building down.”
However, Dr. Troglen was adamant that it would not involve a
wrecking ball simply destroying the entire building. He said a lot of thought
would go into what could be saved, placed in storage and perhaps be repurposed
in existing facilities or any new builds.
“(The committee) presented the cost that they had. With funds available, they
felt that it would be better to put the money toward a newer building, which
has already proven its use. That was their recommendation and it included a
lengthy discussion that was very civil,” he said.
Dr. Troglen said he cannot predict the future, and there are still a lot of decisions to be made.
“The team is not in a hurry to take the building down. But as it stands now, the team has the authority to take the building down. They are working diligently to find various uses for the more significant portions, such as the stained class, massive doors and pulpit furniture. The things you remember when you look at the building…perhaps those can be used in the next building. This has been a very difficult decision for this team. They don’t want to take the building down, and there are no ulterior motives. When feelings get involved, and memories, our mind jumps to what may not be there (in the future.)”
Dr. Troglen said the church members have taken a step back and taken a breath, but clearly spoke on what they want.
“This is a decision that has to be made by the membership of the church, and the members who support it financially and are affected most by it. We more than met the standard that our church requires.”
Dr. Troglen said the committee is made up of “great and honorable people.”
He said when it came time for the vote, no one was sure of the outcome. In the end, there was some surprise by the number of people who supported taking the building down, which was roughly 70 percent.
“I told our congregation, there are no winners in this. Nobody wins with the building coming down,” Dr. Troglen said. “But you come to a point you have to fiscally look at something, and how best the money can be spent.”
The church itself will celebrate its 200th anniversary next year. As a whole, the church has survived fires, two tornadoes, the Great Depression, Civil War and much more.
However, the damage done to the building by last year’s event may be insurmountable from a financial perspective. “This is one of those hiccups in the road that no one likes to see and everyone feels bad about,” Dr. Troglen said.
Elmore County Historical Society President Jan Wood said the news the church could be demolished is devastating to the members.
“Back when society organized and chartered in 1971 the two major principles on which it was formed were for preservation of our antiquities and to be proactive in saving all those historical structures which currently exist. We don’t want to let them go into a state of disrepair to the point have to be taken down. This (news of the demolition) is painting the bleakest end of the situation. We are asking for people to visit elmorecountyhistorical@gmail.com to see our full official statement from society members.”
Download the National Register file here: https://npgallery.nps.gov/…/659d183d-d189-437d-929c-cc5f88…/
