Methodists Dedicated New Wing in 1957

      On a chilly but sunny Sunday morning in November hundreds of members of the Irvington Methodist Church gathered along North Audubon Road for the groundbreaking of a new education wing. The church had been on this site since 1926, but had been in Irvington since 1879 in a variety of locations. Dr. Henry L. White, the pastor of the church in 1957 conducted the special outdoor ceremony. 

     The Garns and Moore Firm designed the new three-story brick wing. Glenroy Construction won the bid for the construction of the edifice. You can see their truck in the top photo. The new wing included numerous classrooms, a chapel, and an administrative area and would be completed in 1958. Officials placed the wing east of what was formerly the Forrest-Howe home.

     Behind the crowd that morning neighbors who resided in 23, 25, 53, and the double at 59-61 might have peeked out their windows to watch the formal event. So who lived in those residences in 1957? Wellise and Rose Hui along with Cornelia Hui resided at 23 Audubon Road. Mr. Hui operated the Irvington Importing Company while his wife Rose worked at the N & R Laundry. Cornelia taught at the McKinley Elementary School. Next door Dorothy White lived in the corner home at 25 North Audubon Road. The Dufour family resided at 53 North Audubon Road. They might not have been home that morning as they usually attended mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. In the large double next door Frank and Ella Wallace leased 59 North Audubon Road while Henry W. and Carol Ross leased 61 North Audubon Road.      

     Throughout the winter of 1957 and 1958 construction workers built the new wing changing the look of the Irvington Methodist Church. 

Members of the Irvington Methodist Church gathered for the groundbreaking of a new education wing on November 10, 1957. The most visible homes in the photo include 23, 25, 53, and 59-61 North Audubon Road. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society)

Officials from the Irvington Methodist Church participated in the groundbreaking of the new education wing on November 10, 1957. Left to right: Reverend C. Kenneth Powell, Firman Sims, Glendon Hackney, Delbert Meyer, and Dr. Henry L. White. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society)

Throughout the winter in 1957 and 1958, workers for Glenroy Construction erected the new education wing at the Irvington Methodist Church. This image also shows the rear of the businesses along East Washington Street and the tower of the Irvington Presbyterian Church. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society)

Workers neared completion of the new education wing at the Irvington Methodist Church in the spring of 1958. The addition housed numerous classrooms for the church. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society)

Editor's Note: The Irvington Methodist Church will turn 150 years old this September. 

Sources: Polk's Indianapolis City Directories, 1957 and 1958; Sources: "Irvington to Break Ground For Addition," Indianapolis Star, November 9, 1957, p. 12. 

Scenes Around the Irvington Methodist Church in 1948 and in 2015

Walter and Merry Jo Carey joyously departed the Irvington Methodist Church at 30 North Audubon Road on May 16, 1948, to start their newly married life.  The festivities began when Mrs. Carey stood atop the stairs and tossed down her wedding bouquet.  Behind the family members, you can see the beautiful rock wall located at 75 North Audubon Road.  The lushness of the tree canopy prevent us from seeing the stunning Thornton House on the property; however, the beautiful Craftsman home had stood on the site since 1914 and the Thornton's still dwelled there in 1948.  In another shot, friends decorated the newly married couple's car.  Behind them, you can see the cottage located at 23 North Audubon Road.  The Hui family might have been looking out one of their windows from that house to enjoy the merriment outside.  Of course, they might not have paid any heed as joyous events like this had been common here for decades.

Throwing the Bouquet:  Merry Jo Carey tossed her flowers to one lone woman hoping for a "catch."  Behind the family members, you can see the wall and home at 75 North Audubon Road on May 16, 1948.

Standing atop the stairs at the Irvington Methodist Church, you can see the same view that Merry Jo Carey saw when she joyfully tossed her bouquet.  The century-old stone wall still stands across the street and encloses the property at 75 North Audubon Road in March of 2015.     

Decorating the Car:  Friends gathered to write a few words on the windshield of the newlyweds, Walter and Merry Jo Carey, on May 16, 1948.  The house to the left at 23 North Audubon Road belonged to the Hui family in 1948.  

The grounds of the Irvington Methodist Church and a nearby house at 23 North Audubon Road can be seen in this contemporary image taken in March of 2015.  

One Last Goodbye:  Friends and family surrounded newlyweds, Walter and Merry Jo Carey, across the street from the Irvington Methodist Church as they gathered to take off for their honeymoon on May 16, 1948.  

The historic images are courtesy of Leslie Wilson.