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Remove & Re-Use

The future of the Union Avenue Methodist Church building is unclear, but the Moller organ that was in the building now is in storage. Memphis Theological Seminary is in the process of building a chapel, and the organ is being donated to them. I had told Greg Koziel (Trinity’s organ curator) that if he needed a hand dismantling the organ, I’d be available, and he took me up on my offer.

The property on which Union Avenue Methodist Church sits, has been purchased by the drugstore chain CSV, who plan to demolish the building. Many argue that the church building, which is no longer in use, should be preserved as a histoical landmark.
Photo from www.landmarkandlegend.com

Greg’s task is to disassemble approximately 1550 pipes, some metal, some wood. When I came to help, the small pipes were already in boxes – left were big, wooden pipes, roughly 14" x 16", with the tallest 16 feet and the shortest 9 feet tall, made of California sugar pine - clear (i.e. no knots) – almost unheard of today.
While the debate continues on the proposed sale to CVS, I dont see how anyone could re-make that building into something useful. Its too big...
As a woodworker, I was interested in the quality of the material and construction. Although not detailed, like furniture, it was precise, each piece carefully constructed, also stamped and numbered, so there was no need to mark the pieces for re-assembly.

While there, I toured the facility. It has the square footage of your average Walmart. The nave is like a concert hall, almost square with no support poles visible and a horseshoe balcony, a seating capacity of perhaps 700 - 800 people. While the debate continues on the proposed sale to CVS, I don’t see how anyone could re-make that building into something useful. It’s too big, with limited parking. As for the organ, I asked Greg what the value is of such an instrument. He said it isn’t worth anything – unless you can find a buyer with a use for it. However, to build a similar organ today would probably cost $700,000 to $800,000.
There are many such instruments available for the same reason Union Avenue Methodist is closing it’s doors. I’ve lived in Cleveland and Milwaukee, where we Lutherans have far too many outdated churches. The old, tight neighborhoods had churches every couple of miles, with scant parking available. There are few options today for a century-old building, with overwhelming maintenance and scant resources. What’s left is to take them down, so they are not left to decay and blight the neighborhood.
Thanks to the people at Union Avenue for taking what is valuable and re-using it elsewhere to fill a worship space with classic sounds that have led worshipers for a century!