Irvington Methodist Church Then and Now

This beautiful Tudor-Revival structure has graced the "north" circle since 1925. Designed by architect, Herbert Foltz, the church replaced an earlier building on Layman Avenue.  (now a parking lot for businesses along East Washington Street) Mr. Foltz decided to position the structure towards Lowell Avenue rather than tear down the double-gabled home that faced East Washington Street.  The dwelling had been occupied by both the Forrest and Howe families.  Thomas Carr Howe would later become the President of Butler University and for whom Irvingtonians named their local high school in 1938.  His home now serve as offices and school space for the church.  The intersection of Lowell Avenue and North Audubon Road is one of the loveliest in the city of Indianapolis.

Irvington Methodist Church c1930

Irvington Methodist Church on June 3, 2013

Forrest-Howe Manse now incorporated into the Irvington Methodist Church

From the Yard of School #77--1943

Mrs. Edith Green Forrest was a popular teacher and principal at School #77, a primary school located in the 400 block of North Arlington Avenue.  In this somewhat blurry photo, taken in the spring of 1943, Mrs. Forrest (on the right) poses next to an identified student teacher.  With so many young families in the neighborhood, the need for more primary classrooms was great.  In 1932, the Indianapolis Public Schools began to utilize former World War I surplus buildings as temporary classrooms.  Ann Stewart, a former pupil, recalls that the school was more like a Montessori School with science classes held outdoors (sometimes in Pleasant Run Creek) and the planting of community gardens. The school district would not actually build a proper structure until 1952.

Edith Green Forrest (right) stands next to a student teacher on the grounds of School #77 in 1943.

406-08 North Arlington in 2012

School #77 (1952) is now home to a charter school in 2012.  

One of the more surprising facts for me with regards to this photo, is the brick double behind the ladies. I would not have pegged that structure as over seventy years old.  If you look closely, you will note that only the 408 side of the double was present in 1943. The historic photo is courtesy of Ann Stewart.  Are there more images of School #77 out there?  Drop me an e-mail at sleeth28@rock.com.