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 JohnInMi
  
 |  | East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
< on 10/16/2010 7:58 PM >
|  | | | Mike and John explore the old Methodist Church, 10/15/2010
Mike and I set out to explore the old East Grand Blvd Methodist Church at Gratiot and Grand Blvd around 8pm the night of October 15 (Friday), 2010. We actually went to explore the old Pope Funeral Home on Plymouth road but found it is being rehabilitated at this time.
We got into the church via an open first story window on the front of the building. I climbed in first (w/ some difficulty....) and jumped down a couple of feet. Mike followed and, once inside, we let our flashlights guide us around the entire structure.
We both found the sheer number of small 'back rooms' to be a bit curious, but I later guessed these were separate areas for changing clothes, storing books and altar accessories, kitchens, coffee break rooms and so forth. We found one room with an old style wooden crib which looked somewhat eerie and horror movie-like in that environment. (Think: 'The Shining') We also found a set of mismatched (and severely damaged) drums nearby, loads of paperwork and miscellaneous books and fallen plaster throughout the building. It is interesting to note as well that of all the written material found discarded on the floor, only a very small amount related to religious themes.
It took some meandering and backtracking but we finally made our way into the main area of the church. Piled against one wall was a large amount of scrap wood which I at first assumed may have been the remains of the confessional booths (although I am not sure if the Methodist religion has that as part of their services). A very few of the stained glass windows were intact but the vast majority were at least partially broken out. The altar has been completely stripped and only one pew/bench remained. As with everywhere else in this large structure, plaster, broken wood and paper of all sort littered the ground, almost to the point of obscuring the floor below. The echoes of cooing pigeons who have made the domed roof area their home could be heard as we explored along.
I have to state at this time that on a scale of one to ten for danger factors, I would rank this building around a high 6. The reason is that there are many 2nd story areas where protective railings no longer exist. For example, when we walked up to the choir loft on one side of the altar, we found no railings whatsoever around the perimeter of the second level. Worse still, when we found ourselves exiting one end of the choir area (for some reason, there is only access to the second floor stairs on ONE side of the altar), we saw that if a person was to take literally one step to his or her left (as I recall...), they would find themselves falling 12 feet or so to the main floor without warning!
Another warning point is the presence of holes along the front of the choir loft (at least one that is large enough for anyone's leg to pass through) as well as in a side room on the first floor. I can't pin point the exact location of that room, but it is on the first floor, is somewhat large and contains the remnants of an old organ which has literally rotted away (Think: Something the Crypt Keeper would be seen attempting to play!)
The basement (or cellar of some sort, which we did not get to explore) was clearly visible through one hole which was roughly the size of a large dinner plate. Moreover, the drop looked to be a good 20 feet down.
Attached to the main church building was a large gymnasium/basketball court which must have been part of a youth center at one time. This area still appeared to be largely salvageable if someone with the money to do so was interested in saving it. Above the main floor is what must have at one time been a running/jogging track. Caution is advised in this area as well as the protective railings have been completely stripped, presumably by scrappers.
After passing through the main chapel area one last time, we made our way out the same way we entered without incident. One final piece of advice for anyone wishing to explore this location: I would recommend that you wear old shoes or boots as the floor is covered with plaster dust residue that could easily sully anything that you wish to keep!
Here is a link to my photo stream on Flickr if anyone cares to look. I took 159 pics total but these were the best of the lot.
http://www.flickr....72157625177067202/
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ahhntzville
Location: Boston
| | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 1 on 10/17/2010 10:18 PM >
| | | | Posted by JohnInMi
We got into the church via an open first story window on the front of the building.
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Rules FAIL.
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JohnInMi
| | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 2 on 10/18/2010 12:15 AM >
| | | | Posted by arntzville
Rules FAIL.
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I love when people respond w/ vague quotes. If you mean it is against some 'rule' to mention how I got in the place, I should point out that the open window in question is no secret and that one of our members was even able to spot it as a way while driving past the place. So fear not: No esoteric secrets of the ages were revealed by my post 
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Speed
Location: Philly area
Gender: Male
Retired Explorer
| | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 3 on 10/18/2010 2:29 AM >
| | | | Posted by JohnInMi
If you mean it is against some 'rule' to mention how I got in the place |
not splitting hairs cause the truth is I really dont give a fuck but it is however against forum rules to post entry information.
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=66255
check out the very first line under "locations"
again, dont go getting all pissy... personally I couldnt care less if you posted pics of said window with someone climbing in it, but inevitably someones gonna bitch about it.
great write up by the way.
R.I.P. NickSan | R.I.P. Don Corleyone |
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sunshinin
 
Location: DEEETROIT
Gender: Female
| |  | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 4 on 10/18/2010 4:37 AM >
| | | | yeahh, keep the ways in secret so the info doesn't fall into the wrong hands and everybody else can have a go....
but that place is cool. i've only been in at night, but i love the quotes on the walls.
edit because i read more and had more to say:
even if the way in is no secret and you can see it from the street, which in most cases, you can, cops and shit check boards like these. it's a good way to get the building locked up forever.
[last edit 10/18/2010 4:41 AM by sunshinin - edited 1 times]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunshinin
//<3 u/h8 u/miss u |
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Canadaboy
If it aint rough, it aint right....
| | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 5 on 10/18/2010 4:15 PM >
| | | | It is a great building. Did most of the top floors, without my camera. Intend on being back with my camera the next time to do some shooting.
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JohnInMi
| | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 7 on 10/19/2010 1:45 AM >
| | | | Thanks for the input, folks.
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JohnInMi
| | Re: East Grand Blvd Methodist Church, October 15. 2010
<Reply # 8 on 10/20/2010 1:28 AM >
| | | | Posted by sunshinin
but that place is cool. i've only been in at night, but i love the quotes on the walls.
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Those quotes are priceless! I love the one , "And you shall say God did it"
in the midst of all that wreckage
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