Decades of history came toppling down Wednesday as demolition crews reduced the First Baptist Church to rubble.
Evacuated last summer due to structural problems, the three-storey landmark collapsed in a matter of hours as onlookers watched and took video.
“It’s emotional because it’s like giving up your home,” said Heather Lowe, who attended the church for all of her
57 years.
Memories
As she watched a backhoe tear into the building piece by piece, Lowe couldn’t help but reflect on a lifetime of memories.
“Everybody in the church congregation has been family – they’re a second family,” she said.
Jim Galbraith, the church’s unflappable pastor, said that after two years in Flin Flon, he doesn’t have the same attachment to the building as members of his congregation.
“But I know what my folks are going through, and that’s what hurts,” said Galbraith, wearing a reflective vest that let him to watch and record footage of the demolition from fairly close range.
Since the Baptists have made a determined decision to carry on Sunday services without the building, Galbraith said while the demolition is sad, it is a necessary step.
“You’ve got to do this before you can talk about the future,” he said.
Major change
The demolition marks a major change not only for the Baptists, but Flin Flon as a whole. Since opening 76 years ago, the church has been a towering presence overlooking Ross Lake near the corner of Channing Drive and Third Avenue.
“We’ve had lots of people tell us it’s going to be a real shock for a long time because they’re so used to that church being there,” said Lowe. “The building means something to people that don’t even attend.”
Wednesday’s demolition began shortly before 9 am with Galbraith and a hired demolition crew on site. Orange industrial fencing cordoned off the front of the building and roadblocks barred access to the nearby back alley.
A backhoe began ripping into the church from the rear. As a precaution, a mechanical lift pushed against the north wall given its close proximity to a neighbouring home.
Shortly after 1 pm, the face of the church – the portion inspectors feared could eventually collapse if the building remained standing – had fallen. Contractors reported the demolition went smoothly.
Keeping property
The Baptists will retain ownership of the property, refusing to rule out the possibility of one day rebuilding a new, smaller church on site.
“We’ve got to look at it carefully,” said Galbraith. “People really like the visibility of this spot, because everybody drives by here. But if we’re going to plan to build a new building, we’ve got to think about what kind of building we need first and then look at the lot we have, and then decide, will we put it here or will we sell this off and start somewhere fresh?”
As far as church attendance in Flin Flon goes, the Baptists remain strong with an average of 40 parishioners each Sunday. Some Sundays bring out more people, and funerals have been known to pack the house.
Since their building was evacuated in June, the Baptists have been meeting at alternate locations. Most recently they have been co-hosting services with the Lutherans at First United Lutheran Church, but that’s about to change.
New lease
Starting this Sunday, the Baptists begin a one-year renewable lease to use the lower level of the Lutheran church, the former home of the Community Youth Resource Centre.
Galbraith is more than satisfied with the arrangement, noting the two congregations will partner to hold joint Sunday school classes.
“For the short and middle term, we’re good,” he said. “We’re ready to go.”
For Lowe, it has been unusual attending services at a new location, but she believes the new setup will work out.
“We’re still standing strong,” she said. “We’re looking forward to what the future is going to bring us.”
