ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608190130
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: EVELYN D. BETHEL
IF YOU HAVE glanced at or gazed upon the skyline of this All-America city lately, haven't you missed something? Isn't it bare, and doesn't it seem strange not to see a towering, strong and beautiful steeple that enhanced this area for nearly 100 years - the tower of Old First Baptist Church?
In the annals of the church's history, April 22, 1995, was a sad day because of a tragic and damaging fire. July 18, 1996, will be marked as a day of infamy and true heartbreak. That's when historic Old First was razed as the result of the church's own action!
This was especially shocking because Historic Gainsboro residents and supporters are striving very, very hard to rebuild and revitalize Roanoke's oldest and historic neighborhood. Old First was a legendary and beloved landmark in the neighborhood of Gainsboro, the city of Roanoke, the state of Virginia in these United States of America.
The royal, stately and heaven-reaching edifice was one of the best man-made testaments of a people's faith in God. It withstood the trials of time and proudly proclaimed our faith and heritage. Old First had an unparalleled history of service to its members and the community. It was one of the earliest and first black churches built by its own congregation. The architect was among the most prominent. The church had one of the largest black congregations in Southwest Virginia, and initiated several original programs responsive to both the needs of children and our community at large.
Although no longer used as a place of worship because a new church was built in 1982, Old First continued its spiritual mission. Fondly known as Arts Place at Old First, it was the site of several fund raisers with people of all races, creeds, economic and religious backgrounds participating. It was anticipated that children (and some adults) would be inspired to grow, reach and attain their highest spiritual aspirations under the watchful eyes and ears of caring professionals.
Last year, within weeks of the fire, the Rev. Kenneth B. Wright, pastor of First Baptist Church at Jefferson and Wells, was informed that many people and organizations were willing and able to assist in the monumental task of saving this historic edifice. Yet, to my knowledge, the help or assistance was never accepted and apparently none was ever requested.
To merely say the church owned the property and summarily dismiss the razing as removal of "bricks and mortar" gives a myopic view of the entire situation. Those "bricks and mortar" were a lasting testament to both God and our foreparents - a legacy passed from generation to generation. It represented struggle and victory. City funds had been used to help prepare Old First for use by a performing and visual-arts company. To me that was an agreement in principle, if not in fact, that the "bricks and mortar" were no longer the sole possession of First Baptist. Therefore a moral if not legal obligation existed on behalf of the pastor to at least reach out for a citywide, valleywide drive in an attempt to save Old First.
Aside from the past spiritual wealth of Old First, what a marvelous inspiration and deposit of faith it would have been to young and impressionable minds to have seen a damaged structure returned to life! How great it could have been for the day-care students who once attended class next door. What kind of message have they received by the razing? What a lovely testament the rebuilding would have been to God, them, our foreparents and future generations.
Old First was razed without the slightest "softening of the blow." Even today there is no word as to what, if anything, is proposed for this historic neighborhood - let alone the city and valley at large. How cruel to take away a collective heritage without giving words of comfort and hope.
Gainsboro's First Baptist Church, through the leadership of its current pastor, will be known for destroying its own state and national landmark unless it can rise to the challenge of erecting an edifice of greater magnitude andserving the community even better than our foreparents did at Old First Baptist Church.
Evelyn D. Bethel of Roanoke is president of Historic Gainsboro Preservation District, Inc.
LENGTH: Medium: 76 linesby CNB