A Gary church is one step closer to receiving needed help, but its staff is hoping to leave a statewide landmarks list soon.
“It makes me feel, as a member of the church, that our story is getting out there,” said Veronica Gaffney, executive administrator of Bethlehem Healing Temple. “If nobody knows what’s going on with you, how can they be of assistance to you?”
Bethlehem Healing Temple is one of 10 buildings statewide included on Indiana Landmarks’ “10 Most Endangered” list. The nonprofit’s annual list helps raise awareness about community revitalization and historic preservation in Indiana, said Blake Swihart, director of Indiana Landmarks’ northwest field office.
“It just brings a lot of eyes to perhaps some structures or history that has been overlooked in those communities, especially those that are underserved or underutilized,” Swihart said.
Bethlehem Healing Temple, located at 700 Jefferson Street, is more than a century old. The congregation of more than 50 people meets in the church’s basement for services.
The church hasn’t had regular maintenance, which has been detrimental to the building, Swihart said. Water damage has impacted the building most, causing issues such as peeling paint and a partial wall collapse.
Bethlehem Healing Temple’s roof had a large water leak a couple of years ago that needed emergency repairs. The church was built through masonry, and water leaks have damaged the brick and mortar.
The total cost to restore the 10,000-square-foot church is unclear, Gaffney said. One project will cost $75,000, she said, which focuses on repairing the south wall that has foundation issues.
Gaffney is prepared for the south wall project to be in-depth and intensive, she said.
Swihart believes Bethlehem Healing Temple is a community asset, and it’s had various congregations hold services in its building throughout the years. He also said the building itself is unique and should be preserved.
The congregation plans to create more community outreach programs, including with local schools, but Gaffney said they can’t do that if they’re not utilizing the full space. The church previously had a food pantry and health care center, Gaffney said, and it hosted weddings.
Gaffney hopes that restoration organizations and local government will help restore the building, and she believes Indiana Landmarks’ involvement will help.
“I’m not ashamed this has happened because we are a church of resilience,” Gaffney said. “We want to come back stronger than what we were.”