Originally in Mansfield history, the Park Avenue Baptist church was a landmark downtown at the northwest corner of Park Avenue & Walnut Street. Â It was removed in 1928 to make way for the Farmers Bank tower that stands on that corner today.
I have always wondered who this androgynous guardian of Park Avenue West is, looking down from the old Baptist church. It appears to be some sort of sandstone Earth Elemental; with enough of that inscrutable slow stone patience it takes to overlook the parade of variable humanity passing below for the last century.
It is worth walking down Park Avenue West just to experience this church from the sidewalk view.
Everything about it rewards putting yourself in proximity: the classic architecture creates a noble old-world aura that is deep and culturally stirring; and really, you miss the best details unless you are close enough to see them.
When the Park Avenue Baptist congregation built their original church in 1863, it was on the corner of Park Avenue West and Walnut Street; and when they sold that site in 1928 to make way for the Farmer’s Bank tower, this classic church was built farther west on Park Avenue at North Benton Street.
Since 2009 it has been home to Mosaic, at 296 Park Avenue West.
Originally in Mansfield history, the Park Avenue Baptist church was a landmark downtown at the northwest corner of Park Avenue & Walnut Street. Â It was removed in 1928 to make way for the Farmers Bank tower that stands on that corner today.
I have always wondered who this androgynous guardian of Park Avenue West is, looking down from the old Baptist church. It appears to be some sort of sandstone Earth Elemental; with enough of that inscrutable slow stone patience it takes to overlook the parade of variable humanity passing below for the last century.
Timothy Brian McKee is a featured columnist on our site every Saturday with a column titled Native Son. Every Tuesday, he taps into his knowledge and collection of historical photos and bring us Then & Now, a brief glance at the way things were.
