This story really bugs me. At a time of unprecedented construction in Kalamazoo, this group wants to demolish an historic structure, in the heart of the city, for little more than a grassy lot with some play equipment. Not only is the abandoned First Reformed Church not an eyesore, as some would claim, it is part of a larger, historic urban whole that is uniquely preserved. First Reformed Church was built in the 1870's and was a product of the growth and immigration which the city experienced during this time. It is one of many churches that surround Bronson Park, along with several civic structures. Bronson Park is considered the traditional heart of the city. Read KPL's
First Reformed Church: A Mirror of Immigration. The church closed in 2003 and has intermittently served some other ministries since then.
These people really can't come up with a use for the existing building? If you're going to demo it, at least construct something of use to more than just a few kids (who could easily play down the street at Arcadia Commons). This just reeks of a thinly-veiled excuse for demolishing a beautiful church to save money. Bill Rose, who is the chairperson of the so-called Children’s Nature Playscape Team, is also a member the First Congregational Church, which sits next-door to and owns the subject property. He is also the ex-president of the Kalamazoo Nature Center. His words just sound like a lot of bologna to me. It's now coming into 2019. Have we really not learned not to obliterate our local history yet?
Quote:
Vacant Kzoo church to become nature playscape
Brady Gillum | WoodTV8
December 20, 2018
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — If you’ve spent any time in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park, you have probably noticed all the old churches that surround it. One church has sat vacant for years and is showing signs of disrepair.
“It’s deteriorating,” said Bill Rose, chairperson of the Children’s Nature Playscape Team. “It’s beginning to fall apart.”
Rose knows all about the old First Reformed Church on Academy Street across from Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park, and he doesn’t like what he sees...
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Here's the church as photographed on December 20, 2018.
Source:
WoodTV8
Here's an historic photo of the church, from sometime around 1940.
And here's an even older historic photo of the structure, from sometime between 1890 and 1910.
Source for the last 2 images:
Kalamazoo Public Library