Abandoned America

A stairway in an abandoned church

Photos/story at https://www.abandonedamerica.us/third-presbyterian-church

The Sad Story of Chester's Abandoned Third Presbyterian Church

Despite the efforts of a local historical preservation committee, the Third Presbyterian Church in Chester, PA was destroyed by arson.

Mar 17, 2023 at 12:57amMastodon for Android
Show threadAbandoned AmericaMar 17, 2023
Find out more about the tragic demise of this gorgeous church on the Abandoned America podcast https://anchor.fm/abandonedamerica/episodes/The-Tragedy-at-Third-Presbyterian-Church-e1hokio
The Tragedy at Third Presbyterian Church by Abandoned America

The vacant Third Presbyterian Church in Chester, Pennsylvania was an endangered architectural treasure in a city that has already lost many. A team of dedicated preservationists were making strides toward rehabilitating it into a much-needed community art center, but a sudden and horrific turn of events resulted in the destruction of the church. Join host Matthew Christopher and guest host Matt Lambros of After the Final Curtain as they interview Dave Guleke, a member of the Chester Historical Preservation Committee, and discuss what made the church so special and important, and why things went tragically awry. Show Notes Support the Abandoned America podcast on Patreon Learn more about and support the Chester Historical Preservation Committee Follow Matt Lambros' work on After the Final Curtain Abandoned America Photo Gallery of the Third Presbyterian Church  Intro/Outro music credit: Odyssey by Rival Consoles

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Show threadbilbo_le_hobbit Mar 17, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica Stairway to heaven
Show threadHasufinMar 17, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica It's weird, I haven't been in a building like that for over a decade, but it feels so familiar.
Show threadAbandoned AmericaMar 17, 2023
@Hasufin they always feel like places out of dreams I can't really remember any more to me
Show threadHasufinMar 17, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica They are definitely a liminal space. You can walk up one of those stairways and exit in another building.
Show threadAbandoned AmericaMar 17, 2023
@Hasufin that's the cool thing about a photo, isn't it? In a way I hate that they only capture a small percentage of a room/building, but in another they kind of take on a life of their own because of that. Anything could be at the other end of the stairway up (or down)
Show threadFemme MalheureuseMar 17, 2023

@AbandonedAmerica What beautiful woodwork throughout that church -- so fitting for a town of shipbuilders. Such a pity this has not been maintained as the jewel it is.

Thanks for sharing this.

Show threadAbandoned AmericaMar 17, 2023
@femme_mal thank you, and well said. The worst part is that the historical committee really *was* trying and then some asshat had to go and burn it down
Show threadJon StubbingtonMar 17, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica Love the composition of this one, particularly. Great photo.
Show threadAbandoned AmericaMar 17, 2023
@jon_stubbington thanks so much! I loved this room. Always had stunning light