The Fifties

This beautiful building was dedicated on September 3rd, 1950. The plans were drawn for it by my grandfather, James H. Chance. Since the current sanctuary MSPC uses today overlapped the footprint of this sanctuary, it had to be razed before construction could commence on the new building.

My grandfather related to me in later years that he sat in his car, parked on the street, to watch the demolition. As the wrecking ball knocked the cross off the top of the bell tower, he remembered sketching it on his drawing board. The recent death of his daughter and the transiency of life became too much for him at that moment, and he did not stay for the remainder of the demolition.

This is my parents wedding on August 16th, 1958. This photo shows the beautiful window facing N.E. 6th Avenue.

This view shows the chancel with it's Celtic cross. My grandmother related that MSPC donated many items to other churches from this sanctuary when demolition started, including the cross, pews and Conn electronic organ.



My parents, John and Betty Rogers, cut their wedding cake in front of new construction of the Sunday School wings and Fellowship Hall.