As #UnionChapelIndy prepares to boldly move into the future, we take a moment to appreciate where we've been. Our own Sharon Moore has researched and written the history of the church in installments One and Two. Here, we present part three...

Early in this era of the church, the age of the original building began to show with the wooden floor joists deteriorating. The decision was made to construct a new building, but World War II slowed the project. The end of the war allowed progress to resume, and a site at the corner of 86st Street and Haverstick Road was purchased. A building fund eventually was able to raise the money needed, and ground was finally broken on December 13, 1953.

The weather in the middle of December in 1953 was no better than the weather in 2016. It was cold and rainy during the ground-breaking, with the speakers sheltered under umbrellas and the congregation huddled in their automobiles along Haverstick Road. Six months later, the weather had improved greatly when the cornerstone was laid on May 23, 1954. 

By April 1955, the building was finished and occupied, with consecration services held on March 6, 1955.

Building a new facility was not without its challenges. Some of the members did not feel the move was necessary and left. A contractor had been hired based on a quoted price of $93,000, plus or minus 3%. Unfortunately, the final contract did not mention this 3% guarantee, and there was a significant cost overrun that required additional financing by the trustees and building committee. But, with the improved facilities, the church was able to grow.

In fact, it wasn't long before it was evident that more classroom space was needed, and the Education Wing was added. This section of the building was consecrated on September 13, 1959. In 1961, the congregation celebrated 100 years and a commemorative plate for the event states that there were then over 600 members. Union Chapel looked forward to a bright future!

(To be continued...)