Downtown in Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
City Methodist Church
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 30, 2022
1. City Methodist Church Marker
Gary's first Methodist Church was established in 1906. In October of 1916, Dr. William Gran Seaman became pastor. Seaman relished his role in the growing congregation, but he had bigger dreams; he wanted to build a new church to serve the social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the town's citizens.
His vision, coupled with the financial assistance of U.S. Steel Corporation, resulted in the erection of the new City Church at 6th Avenue and Washington Street. Architects Lowe and Bollenbacher were hired to design the structure, which took 21 months to build and cost the Methodist Church $800,000.
The plans called for the main sanctuary to accommodate 950 parishioners, while the adjacent Seaman Hall could seat another thousand for shows and events. Seaman Hall, which was constructed with four stories and a basement, also housed an oak-paneled fellowship hall, corporate offices, Sunday School rooms, a large kitchen and dining room, and on the third level, there was a gymnasium for activities and interactive play.
Constructed 1925
Architect Lowe & Bollenbacher
Erected by Knight Foundation, Legacy Foundation, Decay Devils, Gary Indiana.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
this page online
Location. 41° 36.269′ N, 87° 20.181′ W. Marker is in Gary, Indiana, in Lake County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of East 4th Avenue (U.S. 12/20) and Broadway, on the right when traveling west on East 4th Avenue. Marker is in East Gateway Park mounted on the South Shore Line retaining wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Broadway, Gary IN 46402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gary Public Library (here, next to this marker); Emerson (here, next to this marker); Memorial Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); Horace Mann (a few steps from this marker); Ambassador Apartments (a few steps from this marker); Jefferson Park Water Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Gary’s First Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Gary Land Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gary.
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 30, 2022
2. Marker located with several others on the South Shore Line retaining wall
Photographed By Lou Donkle, September 14, 2019
3. Church has fallen into ruins
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on July 7, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
