Photo Credit: The Rev. Jim Said
Dear Ones,
I write today because it has come to my attention that the church building that housed the worship and ministry of St. Stephen’s in the Fields, Elwood, has been marked for demolition by its current owners, the City of Elwood. This hard news no doubt resurfaces the pain and grief of the ending of St. Stephen’s ministry.
Just over four years ago, in April 2020, then-senior warden Gloria Mays called to inform me that St. Stephen’s in the Fields, Elwood, had decided to conclude its ministry. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would take some time for us to gather for a concluding Eucharist to mark and celebrate the ministry of the faithful in that community. The occasion to witness, give thanks, and show love for the ministry of St. Stephen’s in October 2021 drew folks from every corner of our diocese.
Over the past three years, so many of you have been involved in praying over, stewarding, and dispersing the sacred artifacts of St. Stephen’s. I’m grateful for those who took part in the service of secularization of the building and for others who have helped us find fitting places for many of its holy objects to continue to edify God in Christ. Indeed, every time I worship at the indoor or outdoor chapel at Waycross, the beautiful stone Celtic cross from St. Stephen’s stands tall, holding both sacred memories and the reminder of the promise of resurrection.
I bid your prayers of thanksgiving for all that has been in that place and your prayers of compassion for those saints among us for whom the church building was a home for worship, ministry, rites of passage, and holy hospitality. As we mourn the loss of its physical presence, may we rest assured that the legacy, history, people, and building of St. Stephen’s in the Field, Elwood, will never be forgotten.
Faithfully,
Bishop Jennifer
Timeline of closure of St. Stephen’s:
April 2020: Bishop Jennifer receives communication from Senior Warden Gloria Mays regarding it being time to make plans to close. Once it is safe to gather in person, a final service celebrating St. Stephen’s ministry is determined.
October 2021: final service at St. Stephen’s with Bishop Jennifer presiding takes place. Approximately 50 people from around the diocese attend.
2022-2023: Parish registers, service books, and significant documents from parish files are preserved in diocesan archives.
Holy Cross Day, 2022: The stone Celtic cross given in memory of Herman Frederick Willkie is relocated to the outdoor chapel at Waycross. Approximately 20 BCPs and a communion set go to Grace Unlimited at Butler University. Baptismal font goes to Good Samaritan, Brownsburg. Processional cross and torches go to The Table, Indianapolis. Thurible goes to St. Matthew’s, Indianapolis. Many vestments go to the Episcopal-Lutheran-Presbyterian campus chaplaincy at Ball State University. Parishioners take several pews and other sacred and decorative objects
January 2024: The Standing Committee of the Diocese approves the sale of the property to the City of Elwood.
March 20, 2024: The altar is dismantled and removed from the building. The Rev. Paul Jacobson presides over the service of secularization of a church building. The Rev. Jason Fortner, the Rev. Adam Pierce, and Canon Brendan O’Sullivan-Hale are present. All remaining sacred items are removed to be respectfully disposed of.
April 17, 2024: closing on the property sale to the City of Elwood.
Still to be done: deciding on the disposition of the sale proceeds. Commissioning a plaque or other monument to accompany the stone cross at Waycross to note that it is in memory of Herman Frederick Willkie and give thanks for the legacy of St. Stephen’s and its benefactor, Edmund Jones, who donated the land.
