Past Churches III

One of Rensselaer's buildings that was built as a church and long served as a church is the building currently occupied by the Jasper County Historical Society.
The plaque in the front tells the story.

Jasper County Historical Society Headquarters and Museum
Built ca. 1882 by the Free Will Baptist Church on the northeast corner of Susan and Van Rensselaer Streets. Sold in 1902 to the Methodist Protestant Chruch and moved to the present site and in 1918 purchased by the Christian Science Society. Used until 1986 when, at the suggestion of Cordelia Stockton, and the remaining members, Wayne Hasselbring and Ora Kepne, the Society donated the building to the Jasper County Historical Society.

So this building was originally where Hal Gray Park is today, the northeast corner of Susan and Van Rensselaer.

The local decline in membership of Christian Science seems to have mirrored and somewhat preceded a national decline.

(Someone told me that there was once a Christian Scientist reading room where Janet's Kitchen is now. Do you remember that?)

Another vacancy-updated

I noticed another vacancy this week, the Check 'n Go in the College Square Mall. We gained a credit union and lost a cash advance place. I'll take that trade.

Update: The remodeling at the Lafayette Bank & Trust appears to be finished and a sign on the door implies that the new section may open on Monday.

There has been remodeling going on in the old laundramat attached to what is now Ayda's Mexican restaurant.  I heard today from a source I consider reliable that it will become some kind of Italian eatery. We will see.

Car Show/Cruise Night today

What a day--the start of the Jasper County Fair and Cruise night. I wonder what the thinking was about overlapping them and how it will turn out.

The car show has traditionally been at the fair grounds, but this year it is at Brookside Park, in the northwest corner on the lawns that normally see no use. I liked this old car--there are not enough old cars for my taste. (For me, an old car is one older than I am. That puts you back pre 1950.)
They have trophies for best of show, best engine, best Ford, and other things. If you are in Rensselaer, swing by the park and see what is happening.
This is the 24th annual car show and cruise, and it is sponsored by the JC Cruisers. I will try to write more next week. Here is my report on Cruise night last year.

The Jasper County Fair has opened

The Jasper County Fair has opened its gates, and by 8:30, when I was there, the camp grounds were full. Actually, the fair activities began some days ago. The queen contest was a week or two ago, and most of the 4-H projects have been entered and judged.
There were a couple of trucks heralding the arrival of the midway, but it was still a grassy field this morning. The commercial exhibits were being set up in the commercial shelter.
Open class entries were pouring in. In the past I have entered in some of these catagories, including floral.
The animals were arriving. These two young goats were having a good time butting heads. They reminded me of some of my close relatives. They know who I am writing about.
Last year I wrote about the fair here and here. I will see if I can a better job this year.