For a link to a story the Elmore/Autauga News did announcing plans to destroy the historic chapel written in March 2020, visit https://elmoreautauganews.com/2020/03/04/with-members-voting-for-demolition-to-historic-but-damaged-first-baptist-church-of-wetumpka-opinions-vary/
BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Some say it is ironic that the original sanctuary to Wetumpka First Baptist Church is coming down just as news of HGTV featuring Wetumpka in 2021, helping to renovate the town including historical structures, was announced. The Hometown Takeover has been met with much excitement.
Regardless, the bulldozers have come to WFBC, the building is all but removed, and the City of Wetumpka stands divided over the loss of another historical structure.
In March, parishioners of Wetumpka First Baptist Church made a difficult decision to tear down their original and historic chapel completed in 1852. This past week, the destruction was more obvious than it has been over the past month. It is final. It began simply with the removal of windows and other features. Today only rubble remains.
There was discussion about removing the structure prior to last year’s tornado, but the damage from the storm made it official to the majority of parishioners who were allowed to vote on church committee’s recommendation.
In March when we talked with Pastor Dr. James Troglon, he said this was a situation where nobody wins. It was made with great thought, and in the end, the majority of parishioners at the time chose to have the building removed.
Lovers of history learned that just because a property is listed on a historical registry, does not mean it cannot be torn down if the owners approve.
Joe Allen Turner was a lifelong member of the church. He has not returned to the church since the COVID-19 epidemic began. He says he does not expect to return to the congregation when it is over, and it leaves him at a loss.
As Wetumpka’s Historian, this decision to tear down the historical chapel hit him personally.
It has been difficult to talk to Wetumpka residents and officials about the decision to destroy the church building, at least on the record. It is a political season, of course. Five parishioners have contacted the EAN since our March story to talk, all strongly opposed to the church building’s demise. But none wanted their name mentioned. Others have told us that a church is not represented by sticks and bricks, and they don’t understand the fuss over a building. They also declined our request to quote them directly. Difficult issue, and lots of opinions.
“We have lost a lot of parishioners over this, which is going to have an impact on the church’s budget I think,” Allen said.
The 88-year-old is a Wetumpka native, and the history of his town is near and dear to his heart.
“I was bitterly opposed to destroying the building, but I really believe there is a group that wanted to have it removed to create newer buildings, way before the storm damage,” Allen said. “I think the older members were opposed to the destruction. But it seemed the young members wanted the old building gone so they could build something else. The older members are the heavier contributors to the church, so I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Allen served as the church organist for 64 years, but resigned in September of last year.
“Until this virus came along I was sitting in the congregation,” Allen said.
“As far as I am concerned the church is sort of floundering. I haven’t been to church since the end of March (because of COVID). I think this decision to destroy the original sanctuary has caused a big divide,” Allen said. “I was speaking with someone today about the lack of insurance to cover the entire church after the storm.” He talked about the Presbyterian church across the road that was leveled by the same storm system last year. “I guess they had better insurance, because they are rebuilding. I just wonder if it would have been different if the damage (to WFBC) would have been addressed earlier. It could have been saved.”
A temporary roof was installed to protect the old building at some point after the storm, Dr. Troglon told the EAN in March. But mold had taken over, and there were safety issues and a fear the ceiling would fall. It came down to putting funds into an old building in need of repair, or using those funds for the future.
The original sanctuary began construction in 1845 and completed in 1952.
“Back then, they worked when they had the money, with the ground level first, then completing the rest of the structure. There was a huge dedication service then,” Allen said. “But some people don’t value things like that. Younger members are not as attached to it as us older members are. The older members are beginning to disassociate themselves.”
But there is no use crying over it now, he said. What is done is done. He hopes that the church will save historical pieces from the original sanctuary, and perhaps use them in new projects, or donate them.
He, and others we have talked to, hope this will cause those interested in history to take more part in preservation. They have said that people need to be more active and vocal, before another landmark meets the same fate.
Allen was born in 1931 in Wetumpka on Tallassee Street. “At least that house is still standing,” he said.
His brother, Sam, is 87 and still owns the building that was once their father’s Standard Oil Company. It is rented today and houses the very popular “Grumpy Dog” restaurant.
Allen treasures his memories and time has progressed, in too many cases, he says that is all he has.
The modern day Elmore County Museum building got its start as the Post Office around 1940. Allen remembers that dedication as well, as he and his family stood across the street that day. He recalled that Joe Harwell, who owned the OK Bakery in Wetumpka many years ago, had set up a sound system, which was a rather big deal at the time, to broadcast the dedication ceremony.
He said it was about that same time that the Fain Theater was created. The Fain Theater is also still standing, and recently saw a major remodel.
Allen started school around 1937 and graduated in 1949 from the old Wetumpka High School. At one time he lived across from the old school, which is also still standing. When his parents were in school, it was referred to as the State Secondary Agricultural School.
Allen said he realizes that he is old, and a lot of the buildings in his beloved town are old. Perhaps most people don’t care about that anymore, he said.
See more photos below of the church as it was, and how it looked as of Thursday.
