Adrian says goodbye to a longtime landmark

By SHARON KIESEL

A longtime Adrian landmark is no more. The Adrian Christian Church, which once dominated the southwest corner of Fifth and Kentucky Streets, was razed this past week, leaving only bare ground. The building has been empty for about a year, after the congregation merged with those at the Cornerstone Christian Church, located at 510 East 12th Street.

The Adrian Christian Church was first established in 1888, when the City of Adrian was only eight years old. By 1915, the congregation had outgrown the building and a new structure was built, at the corner of Fifth and Kentucky Streets. In 1962, a two-story addition was added to the building. The new wing housed the minister’s study and additional classrooms.

About a year ago, Adrian Bank purchased the old building. The two properties join each other with only an alleyway separating them. A future of possibilities are ahead.

“We’re uncertain right now as to the future use, but it gives us some possibilities for future expansion,” said Adrian Bank President Jack Wagner. “The property may temporarily be used for parking. Maybe sometime in the future we’ll expand the bank but nothing is etched in stone. Expansion is not a committed thing to ourselves or our customers, but the idea was one of the reasons we decided to buy the property.”

Right: The Christian Church is pictured, just before the demolition begins.

Far right: Only the stairs and concrete wall remained standing after the walls of the old Adrian Christian Church were taken down. The stairs and wall were later removed and the lot, located adjacent to Adrian Bank, is now empty.

photos courtesy of Adrian Bank