It was never a particularly beautiful building from the outside, this building that overlooked Wright Park. Dedicated in 1922, it only remained the Scottish Rite Masonic Cathedral until 1937 when it was sold to The Bible Presbyterian Church, a group that separated from the First Presbyterian church just across the alley. Like many large urban church buildings with dwindling congregations, it was sold.
In it's place a developer will build a 122 unit apartment building, one of several new urban infill apartment/condo projects in our neighborhood. With the cost of housing in Portland and Seattle becoming prohibitive for many, escapees are streaming into Tacoma. What will I miss most? Walking by the three huge old vibrant red rhododendron bushes covered with bloom each spring, their blaring exuberance a jarring contrast to the stark side wall of the church.
The increased density has benefits but it's still sad to see a big and not-so-old place like this torn down. While I wasn't particularly fond of this building, what takes it's place may or may not be an aesthetic improvement.
On the right is First Presbyterian Church.
These pictures were taken on a Sunday walk. It was sunny when we set out and again when we returned home but during the walk the wind whipped up, and we were pelted with hail and heavy rain. It felt right to see this demolition site in the rain. On the ground I found a soaking wet folded piece of printed paper & threw it in my bag. Upon inspection, it was a page from a 1948 newspaper which must have fallen from some hiding place in the building. Looks like leaves aren't the only things falling this autumn.
Here's an interesting article written in April about the possibility of this happening.
Here's an interesting article written in April about the possibility of this happening.
Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum. Mosey on over there to join in the fun.
'Progress' is a relative term. Ever forward. Interesting about the old newspaper!
ReplyDeleteA consolation prize perhaps?
DeleteThe first picture brought to mind the phrase Bible Belt. The second was unexpected and took the air right out of me, even though the building was hideous. It is happening in every Seattle neighborhood; difficult to take but unavoidable.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, change is inevitable. Hard to see a piece of local history go away, hideous or not. It would have been nice if the solid building could have been re purposed in some way.
DeleteThat was a remarkably strange-looking building, sort of a love child of art deco and brutalism. My Scottish roots are feeling the tug of familiarity. I was raised and married in the First Presbyterian Church of Lynn, MA. Our church was brown clapboard and much smaller and simpler, but it did have some really gorgeous stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, we went on an historic building walk around our neighborhood and a docent said that the style of the building was part of a short-lived architectural movement at the time reflecting some Egyptian influences. Seems fitting as the Masonic organization utilizes many symbols from ancient Egyptian mystery schools.
DeleteBuildings don't last forever, and the replacement won't necessarily be worse (although there are many ways to measure this...)
ReplyDeleteCool find on the newspaper! Wonder what other treasures were hidden within?
The pity is that the building was sound but needed electrical and other updates. It's true that buildings don't last forever but since I live in a 125 year old house this building seems quite young. Not everything old is beautiful but the building, facing the park, was one of those quirky older things that seemed like it would always be there. There was a sale of a lot of cool old items from the building this summer but I didn't know about it.
DeleteI remember finding a piece of newspaper behind some wall paper that was coming down. It was from somewhere between the World Wars - can't remember exactly when, but it was fascinating reading. Fingers crossed that the new building will be far more attractive than the one that came down. I also hope they have the sense to provide for parking as part of the building code. Many, many new buildings here in Portland are erected without any thought to where to put the cars. I think the City officials who call the shots have some sort of delusional idea that everyone that moves here will either only bike, or use public transit. It is nearly impossible to find parking anywhere - especially in SE. I honestly don't see how that is not built into the urban planning, and manifested as code requirements. I bet it's an old, un-adressed rule from when land was vast and cheap. Either way, it needs to change - yesteryear!
ReplyDeleteFortunately the plans for this new building call for subterranean parking. New buildings in Seattle aren't required to include parking either & they're thinking the same thing about people using public transportation (Crazy!) Funny, just a few years ago you couldn't pay people to park in downtown Tacoma and now there are parking meters and parking lots that charge for the privilege. Interesting times.
DeleteI'm hoping the new condo complex will at least have interesting landscaping...
ReplyDeleteIt's possible. It's also possible that they'll build right out to the sidewalk.
DeleteI hope the developer at least expends some effort in constructing and landscaping the new development. I've become so used to seeing properties purchased and torn down or gutted, that I'm almost immune to the angst those events create but not knowing what form the new structure will take is always unnerving. Wouldn't it be nice if all developers had to share their plans with the surrounding community before construction was approved?
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! Sometimes we're surprised by the beauty of new construction in T town and other times disgusted/amused by it.
DeleteI have to say I found that old building oddly attractive, but it certainly could have used a better paint job. Fingers crossed for the new building...
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting while it lasted. Driving by today, it didn't seem like much more work had been done but maybe they were working on pulling out some of the great old wood before demolishing the rest. The new building may be fabulous. Being across from the park, the rents will probably be high & that many families will certainly increase both pedestrian and automobile traffic. There's also an enormous apartment/condo building that's half built in that area across from Stadium Thriftway where the auto dealership used to be.
DeleteSuch a common fate of oldish buildings everywhere one looks. But not so common to find a wonderful bit of history. A couple of times in my town, I have come to a red light at an intersection and had a moment of panic not knowing where I was. Turned out it was the presence of a huge new building that I knew was going in but had not seen during construction and the way it changed the landscape I knew threw me for a loop.
ReplyDeleteThe change seems to be happening faster all the time. Oh well, that's the way of things.
DeleteIt is unsettling seeing these big old buildings come down especially when you don't know what for sure is going up. I hope for everyone's sake it is a nice building and some landscaping. Some of that curb appeal they are always talking about.
ReplyDeleteIt's the way of progress, I suppose. Like autumn, the demolition of old buildings always brings a bit of melancholy. The new building may just be a gem.
DeleteI don't know how I would feel about that. It's sad to see untamed wildlife habitat dug up for construction, but this was an existing structure, and it sounds like the new place will be able to house a few families. Sad about the rhododendrons. :(
ReplyDeleteRhododendrons are easily replaced and grow quickly in our climate so it's not a great loss. They were stunning against the side expanse of unadorned cream-colored wall. The new building may just be a thing of beauty!
DeleteWe are very quick with "out with the old". I am most intrigued with that old newspaper page fluttering out. As it to whimper "Remember me".
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if the building could have been re purposed in some way. Funny, the newspaper page had stories on one side and half of the other page was an ad for cigarettes - not all change is bad.
DeleteI hope the rhododendron bushes are alright, Peter. It's a pity when a building was destroyed and more when the plants are damaged with a building.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting mix of styles! I could see the Moderne influence, and your local newspaper says also art deco and neoclassical. I didn't know churches were exempt from historic preservation laws. I love these poured concrete buildings. Our city is grappling with the same issues, and the city is in an uproar. Best of luck to Tacoma with the new multiunits!
ReplyDeleteSad beyond words. Too bad the facade couldn't be kept & the inside made to what they wanted.
ReplyDelete