Final pleas for old Trinity Lutheran heard by Crown Point City Council
The possibility of saving the old Trinity Lutheran Church located at 400 E. North Street in Crown Point appears to be fading away. Nevertheless, several people still hoping to save the building in its 11th hour addressed city council on Mar. 3.
Debbie Thill said there many generations of families in Crown Point that are interwoven into the history of the building. Thill reiterated the 1886 Church Foundation has a buyer for the property who is willing to invest money into its restoration. She added the building itself has been “certified as structurally sound.”
“There’s no reason for this building to come down,” Thill said. “It is not falling down.”
Thill admitted the outside of the building needs work, but she said the work on the exterior of the church is “cosmetic and it can be corrected.” She said the city is allegedly blocking the investor’s efforts in saving the old church, and since moving to Crown Point almost 20 years ago, she’s seen many historic buildings razed. She said the former Trinity Lutheran Church needs a reprieve.
“It’s a beautiful old building, or it can be again, if the city would just give this buyer who is willing to put his own money into it (a chance). He does everything by the book historically accurate at his own expense,” Thill said. “Just give the man a chance. Give this building a chance.”
Royce Chenore presented council with some petitions from property owners in the area surrounding the church asking the city to spare the building. Chenore believes the old church could be worth saving as an “income-producing property compatible with the neighborhood.” He hates the idea of the building facing the wrecking ball.
“Your decision not only affects the citizens of Crown Point, but future generations of Crown Point,” Chenore said.
Chenore said the town was faced with the same decision with the old Lake County Courthouse downtown approximately 50 years ago. He pointed out the courthouse wasn’t “just a building on the square in Crown Point” but has historical significance throughout the region.
And the old church does too.
“This church could be a part of that,” Chenore said. “I hope all of you make the right decision.”
Blake Swihart, Director of the Northwest Field Office of Indiana Landmarks, asked council to reconsider demolishing the building. Swihart reiterated Chenore’s assertion the building could once again become useful as an income-producing property. He said the foundation has worked for months to find a suitable buyer for the old church, and only after they announced a buyer was found, the city decided to raze the building.
“I would urge the city again to reconsider tearing down the building,” Swihart said. “An empty lot in a neighborhood doesn’t benefit anyone. Eighty-seven thousand dollars is a lot of money to spend to tear down a historic structure when it can be reinvested in that structure to help revitalize the building.”
Swihart said the building has been sitting empty for four months instead of having the prospective buyer immediately come in and start work on restoring it. He said the rehab of the old church would have also stimulated the local economy as well.
Jeanene Letcher, Historian and Vice President of the Lake County Historical Society, has been conducting historical tours for the Crown Point Community Library for approximately 10 years. Letcher said the original location for Trinity Lutheran is one of the buildings discussed on the tour as it’s the oldest church building in town.
“I am amazed by the amount of people who tell me ‘my family went there, that means so much to the city,’” Letcher said.
Letcher described the old church as a “key part of that neighborhood.” She said even if those old families from the city aren’t living in the neighborhood, there are some on the city council whose families are associated as founders of the congregation.
“It’s a major part of Crown Point history,” Letcher said.