Local News - August 2003

Historic church may not be restored

Moore’s Chapel in crumbling disrepair

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

Paint and plaster peel from the interior walls. Rain water puddles up on the basement floor and long cracks threaten to separate the building’s exterior.

Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, a Lincoln landmark for more than a century, lies empty while termites and heavy rains batter the already decaying building.

The Rev. Ralph Williamson and members of the church family say their faith, and a lot of money, will lead them to a stable house of worship.

“It’s like a faith walk,” says Williamson. “The people have to have faith that we will have another church. I think it has strengthened our faith in God.”

With an estimate of $1.5 million for repairs, Williamson admits that monetary donations top the list of priorities.

“The only way we could restore would be with a tremendous outpour from the community,” he says.

Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church was established in 1898 at 1009 E. Main St. The church was destroyed in 1941 by an electrical fire, according to Leroy Magness, church historian and member for more than 60 years.

A new church was built in the same location. The wooden structure was constructed on a dirt foundation then encased in brick. But the building has not weathered the years well.

“They made a mistake,” says Magness. “They didn’t put a solid foundation under the church.”

After years of worship and community service, Williamson and the congregation began noticing cracks in the interior walls. Plaster began splitting upstairs and water damage began appearing on the walls in the basement. Eventually support beams under and above the sanctuary began to sag.

Contractors gave estimates and built new support beams trying to keep the church safe and habitable. But cracks kept appearing and beams continued to droop.

“We just decided it was not safe anymore,” says Williamson.

About a year and a half ago the congregation had to relocate to Oaklawn Center.

Joseph Rendleman, church member for 30 years, admits that moving to a new location was disheartening.

“It’s my home church, and all my family has been here. I’ve seen a lot of memories come and go.”

Though the church holds a lot of history, Williamson says the congregation is ready to put the past behind them and serve the needs of the community — whether it be through repairs or demolition.

Tearing down the old church and rebuilding might be their best course of action, according to Williamson.

Rebuilding the church alongside of a family life center could cost less than making the necessary repairs to the already existing structure.

If the church is rebuilt, Williamson says much of the old brick would be used. The design resembles the old building and stained glass windows, and the original altar would be installed. The church would remain at 1009 E. Main St.

The congregation has already voted to rebuild and has been holding fund-raisers to earn the money. But some members of the community have expressed an interest in maintaining the current church.

Williamson and the congregation are ready to hear what people have to say.

A community meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oaklawn Center. Members of the community will be asked to express their feelings about the future of Moore’s Chapel. But words will not be able to save the church.

“If the community wants to restore the church for historic preservation, we would need incredible support,” he says. “We as a congregation appreciate the history, but we don’t have the resources.”

The congregation feels a strong pull to worship on the property. A small building has been placed behind the church. The final touches should be complete in the next two weeks, and services will resume on the property.

Whether the church will be restored or destroyed, members of Moore’s Chapel will continue to worship and have faith.

“If you’re serving God, it doesn’t make a difference where,” says Magness.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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