Reflection of Tears
by Cheryl L. McClure
It's been on my mind for quite some time now. This building. This heartbreaking conundrum.
Heritage Hall is an old Presbyterian church in the nearby town of Ladonia, where we volunteer our time and resources to help out. It's a small town that used to be booming at the turn of the century. About 2,000 people used to live and thrive there. It's no longer bustling with multiple businesses at the square, but those who do have their businesses there and live there, work hard at maintaining what they have and offering much to the surrounding communities. Newcomers to the area love the small town atmosphere but also come with hopes that one day, the town will be revived and will be able to support the much needed improvements to infrastructure. We are looking at the future with the proposed Lake Ralph Hall on the brinks of being built a few miles just north of town.
The first time I saw this church it was one to be admired! The detailed stained glass and brick work were stately and poised along HWY 34 as we passed through town. If you go through Ladonia you'll see some of the prettiest gingerbread houses and homes that bring up thoughts of the olden days.
Someone asked me about the building, Heritage Hall, and wondered if it was being used or if it was for sale. I tried to find out what was going on with it, and as time went on I realized that there was more to this than just an empty building. I was hoping we could find someone to take it over since it is a historical landmark, but there are complications. Nevertheless, we got approval to patch, and I proceeded to see if I could find someone to at least come and patch some holes in the roof till we find out how we can get this building into someone else's hands. Even that was a challenge because the roofers didn't want to just "patch to dry it in". And our group doesn't have funds to donate to a huge project, as in, replacing a whole roof on something we don't even own.
As I took these photos on a damp, windy day, I couldn't help but think of the demise of this beautiful historical structure and the decay appearing before my very eyes. Thinking of all the labor and love that went into this building so many years ago, and look at it now! It brought me to tears.
Not being familiar with historical associations and such, I had no idea this building had been abandoned. People have dreams, they work hard to make things happen to keep historical places active and useful. People get old, they get tired, they can't do it anymore. They die or they quit and they walk away because their energy and resources have been depleted and there is no one to help. I wanted to try and save it but it is too much of a responsibility for me too and I have no business taking it on. My hands are tied. I guess, just like the folks who walked away from it, I can only hope someone else can do something; find a use for it and bring it back to life. That is, before the earth reclaims it.
Jan Paul, my other half, can't stand to see me cry and having such a big heart, bought roll roofing and went up on the roof and dried most of it in, himself. Thank goodness he had someone there to spot him. I just don't want him going up there again even though he wants to cover some more areas to prevent additional leakage.
Heritage Hall is an old Presbyterian church in the nearby town of Ladonia, where we volunteer our time and resources to help out. It's a small town that used to be booming at the turn of the century. About 2,000 people used to live and thrive there. It's no longer bustling with multiple businesses at the square, but those who do have their businesses there and live there, work hard at maintaining what they have and offering much to the surrounding communities. Newcomers to the area love the small town atmosphere but also come with hopes that one day, the town will be revived and will be able to support the much needed improvements to infrastructure. We are looking at the future with the proposed Lake Ralph Hall on the brinks of being built a few miles just north of town.
The first time I saw this church it was one to be admired! The detailed stained glass and brick work were stately and poised along HWY 34 as we passed through town. If you go through Ladonia you'll see some of the prettiest gingerbread houses and homes that bring up thoughts of the olden days.
Someone asked me about the building, Heritage Hall, and wondered if it was being used or if it was for sale. I tried to find out what was going on with it, and as time went on I realized that there was more to this than just an empty building. I was hoping we could find someone to take it over since it is a historical landmark, but there are complications. Nevertheless, we got approval to patch, and I proceeded to see if I could find someone to at least come and patch some holes in the roof till we find out how we can get this building into someone else's hands. Even that was a challenge because the roofers didn't want to just "patch to dry it in". And our group doesn't have funds to donate to a huge project, as in, replacing a whole roof on something we don't even own.
As I took these photos on a damp, windy day, I couldn't help but think of the demise of this beautiful historical structure and the decay appearing before my very eyes. Thinking of all the labor and love that went into this building so many years ago, and look at it now! It brought me to tears.
Not being familiar with historical associations and such, I had no idea this building had been abandoned. People have dreams, they work hard to make things happen to keep historical places active and useful. People get old, they get tired, they can't do it anymore. They die or they quit and they walk away because their energy and resources have been depleted and there is no one to help. I wanted to try and save it but it is too much of a responsibility for me too and I have no business taking it on. My hands are tied. I guess, just like the folks who walked away from it, I can only hope someone else can do something; find a use for it and bring it back to life. That is, before the earth reclaims it.
Jan Paul, my other half, can't stand to see me cry and having such a big heart, bought roll roofing and went up on the roof and dried most of it in, himself. Thank goodness he had someone there to spot him. I just don't want him going up there again even though he wants to cover some more areas to prevent additional leakage.
The sanctuary is pie shaped with a sloping wood floor that goes towards the stage where there is a podium. The space is perfect for speakers and presenters and music. The ceiling is ornate with tiles and borders and ceiling fans to move the air and lights to light the room. The brick work outside is ornate and the bell tower is longing for its ringing days again.
Concerned citizens in our nearby town want to see someone come and restore this structure. It has a historical marker. We would love to see gatherings come back, which it was made for! It would be perfect for any onstage function and has an adjoining room that can be opened up or made separate, perfect for tables and chairs or a library, community center or work space. But getting from point A to point B is virtually impossible without the right person showing up to take it on. So many variables.
I fear the loss of this beautiful place, that I can do nothing about except maybe connect someone to it. We need that one person, a needle in the haystack, to bring their vision to this old historical church and breathe life into it once again and the time is now. Heritage Hall is running out of time.
Cheryl L. McClure • [email protected]
Concerned citizens in our nearby town want to see someone come and restore this structure. It has a historical marker. We would love to see gatherings come back, which it was made for! It would be perfect for any onstage function and has an adjoining room that can be opened up or made separate, perfect for tables and chairs or a library, community center or work space. But getting from point A to point B is virtually impossible without the right person showing up to take it on. So many variables.
I fear the loss of this beautiful place, that I can do nothing about except maybe connect someone to it. We need that one person, a needle in the haystack, to bring their vision to this old historical church and breathe life into it once again and the time is now. Heritage Hall is running out of time.
Cheryl L. McClure • [email protected]
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