We went a lot of weird places this last weekend, and this isolated corner of Edmundson where this stately church sits is another place off the beaten track we discovered. It is now the Providence Fine Arts Center, but it clearly was, or still is a church. Probably not Roman Catholic, since it is not listed as a closed parish at the Archdiocese.
It’s part of New Hope Baptist Church, with classes intended for home-school type kids.
The church and school were built in 1966 as (unable to discover). It is not on the list of catholic parishes closed, however.
New Hope moved there in 1998.
I grew up attending that church it was a Baptist church. I spent many Sundays and summers there. We roller skated there on Wednesdays. I lived behind Kratz by the path to the school. Brings back great memories…..
I also grew up going there, back in the late 60’s and through early 80’s. My grandparents lived down the street and ran what was once the local IGA called Zykan’s Market. They lived downstairs of the Market, and we would walk (if you can believe it…the whole 2 blocks!) to church sometimes. I think it was called Edmundson Southern Baptist Church then (maybe the “Southern” wasn’t in there but it was southern Baptist) and I have so many great memories of the fellowship there! They had a great youth program, a charismatic Youth Pastor named Tommy, and organized lots of activities for little dorks like me.
The outside looks pretty beat up now of course, but the sanctuary used to remind me of a modern (for the time period) woodland chapel.
Thanks, Eustace! Was the exterior the same color back when you attended the church?
OMG i used to go to Zykan’s Market all the time with my sister Shelly we would always get penny candy and get cigs for my mom with a note hahaha.
They were so nice to us!! We would collect empty soda bottles ans cash them in there so many memories!!!