Indiana's Famous Abandoned Church: Gary's City Methodist's History

City Methodist Church

Gary, Indiana

03/02/25

Let’s say you’re a young chap and you’re looking for a little thrill. Now in terms of money, you’re flatter than broke. So how can you get that adrenaline flowing? Well you hear about abandoned buildings. You do a little research, where you find the holy grail of abandoned buildings. Gary, Indiana. But one building catches your attention over the rest, a European looking church, over 9 stories tall, the City Methodist Church. So what happened to such an architectural masterpiece and why is it now home to gothic weddings?

Well, dating back to 1906, the city of Gary had always been home to a Methodist church. But pastor at the time, Dr. William Grant Seaman, had grown tired of Gary’s degeneracy, whether it be the bars or brothels. So he reaches out to the city's biggest employer, U.S Steel. Not only were they receptive, but they donated nearly half of the $800,000 price tag and the site. Construction would take off in 1925, helmed by Lowe and Bollenbacher of Chicago. After only 21 months, the first service would be held on October 3, 1926, serenaded by the new organ donated by Elbert Gary, founder of Gary.

aerial image of Gary's City Methodist Church

Church goers enjoyed the luxurious sanctuary, adjoining Seaman Hall theatre (seating 1,000), a gymnasium, Sunday School, dining hall, and even a few corporate offices. Plans were even in the works for a rooftop garden, which was never finished, and a bowling alley that was ultimately scrapped. Simultaneously the congregation would grow to 1,700 by 1927, while being managed by only 6 staff. But church goers would grow disillusioned with one of the staff, pastor Seaman.

His radical interests in cultural diversity, would lead to his own congregation involuntarily transferring him to Ohio in 1929. Although shut out of his own church, his ashes would be laid to rest within its wall in 1944. Prior to his death, the church fell on hard times during the Great Depression. To stay afloat, it found new revenue streams through leasing Seaman Hall to Gary College. This business practice would persist through the decades. The hall would also be leased to Indiana University Centre and Indiana University Northwest. Proceeding into the 1950s, the church’s greatest years were coming to a close. Never again, would the sanctuary see the over 3,000 active members. So what changed?

For context, Gary was a company town that relied on the health of U.S Steel. When massive layoffs began in the late 60s, white flight ravaged the city. Church goers would grow fewer as maintenance costs and crime rates skyrocketed. By 1973, only 320 members of the aging congregation remained, though only ⅓ regularly attended. So it was ultimately decided to close its doors, on October 5, 1975. Indiana University did continue to use the Seaman hall as a satellite campus, leaving the rest of the church to deteriorate. The church would catch fire in 1997.

While the stone husk lingers in downtown Gary, it’s found a new purpose. Like moths to a flame, urban explorers from across the country flock to this renowned structure. Even when the roof collapsed in 2011, it didn’t keep people out. The city attempted to combat this by passing a law to require a permit to explore or film abandoned buildings, but this law may have been removed. What isn’t forgotten is the church’s presence in Hollywood. Appearing in movies like, Soul Survivors, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Pearl Harbor, Sense8, and Life After People.

But its spotlight may be dimming soon. On December 23, 2024 Gary City Council appropriated 2 million dollars to the redevelopment of the property. Demolishing everything but the sanctuary and turning the rest into a park. The City Methodist church truly became its own person. A movie star, prominent destination, and a representation of the decline of industry in the Midwest.

But now, when that young adrenaline junkie walks through its walls, it’ll be a sign of hope. A promise that even after we fall, we can get back up. As long as we don't forget where we once stood.

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Let Me Be Frank

Frank D. Roth has been documenting historic structures in his free time for over 5 years. For work, he owns and operates his own marketing firm, Zransky Productions. Where he solves complex marketing issues through creative solutions.

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