Renovation on Brawley Street
The Original Sanctuary
The “new” Grace Presbyterian Church building was originally the home of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, a congregation dating back to 1889, and spun out of Central United Methodist Church on Church Street. In 1943 the original wooden structure shown here was demolished and a new brick building was completed in 1947, with the official dedication held in 1948.
The Brick Sanctuary
This photo of the church dates to the early 1970s.
In 2006, the Duncan Memorial congregation met for last time and was absorbed back into Central United Methodist Church. Following this, the building was then the home of The Last Days Healing and Deliverance Center for several years.
The Need for Restoration
After purchasing the property in 2021, it was in great need of repair — rotting wood, broken windows, sagging and leaking roof, non-functional alarm system, overgrown shrubs and trees, hazardous asbestos, substandard electrical system, and numerous water leaks. But the building was structurally sound, and we worked quickly to replace the roof, restore the alarm system, and remove the asbestos in order to protect the building from further damage.
Renovations, Part 1
Once the roof was replaced, an alarm system was installed, asbestos was removed, and funding was raised, renovations were finally underway. From 2023-2024, continuous work was being done to restore the building. We started with our attention on the sanctuary, windows, floors, first floor classrooms, and basement (fellowship hall?).
Future Renovations
We are currently in prayer and discussion about continuing worked needed for the second floor. The second floor is currently not usable, but we plan on having more classrooms, offices, and bathrooms.
