DECATUR — The former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building at 525 N. Church Street has long lain dead and unused, far beyond any sure and certain hope of a resurrection. And on Wednesday it received the last rites administered by a demolition crew
The former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building is demolished in Decatur on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
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Ken Robinson takes a moment Tuesday, Oct. 13, to share stories about the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building, pointing to the balcony where he used to sit as a kid, the area at the front of the sanctuary where his mother would sing as part of the choir.
- Scott Perry
Ken Robinson takes a picture Tuesday, Oct. 13, of the chandelier that still hangs in the sanctuary of the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Robinson, a lifetime member of the church, has been documenting the demolition of the building.
- Scott Perry
PHOTOS: Former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building faces demolition
Ken Robinson takes a moment Tuesday, Oct. 13, to share stories about the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building, pointing to the balcony where he used to sit as a kid, the area at the front of the sanctuary where his mother would sing as part of the choir.
- Scott Perry
Ken Robinson takes pictures Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026 of the sanctuary of the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Robinson, a lifetime member of the church, has been documenting the demolition of the building.
- Scott Perry
The former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 525 N. Church St. in Decatur, is shown Tuesday, Oct. 13, with all of its windows removed ahead of its demolition, which is expected to take place next week.
- Scott Perry
The former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 525 N. Church St. in Decatur, is shown Tuesday, Oct. 13, with all of its windows removed ahead of its demolition, which is expected to take place next week.
- Scott Perry
The sanctuary of the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building is visible Tuesday, Oct. 13, through what had been a front window.
- Scott Perry
The former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 525 N. Church St. in Decatur, is shown Tuesday, Oct. 13, with all of its windows removed ahead of its demolition, which is expected to take place next week.
- Scott Perry
The sanctuary’s chandelier is illuminated by the flashlights of USIC workers as the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is prepared for demolition in Decatur on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
- JOSEPH RESSLER, HERALD & REVIEW
The sanctuary of the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church building is shown Tuesday, Oct. 13. The words above the area where the choir would gather read, ""O sing unto the Lord" and "One Lord — One Faith — One Baptism.
- Scott Perry
Ken Robinson takes a picture Tuesday, Oct. 13, of the chandelier that still hangs in the sanctuary of the former Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Robinson, a lifetime member of the church, has been documenting the demolition of the building.
- Scott Perry
Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid
In the beginning
The imposing church building at 525 N. Church Street was built for the First Congregational Church of Decatur. The Decatur congregation had been chartered on Dec. 9, 1888, with 37 members.
Ground was broken for the auditorium section on April 22, 1890. Acquiring the lot for the building cost $3,470 (more than $128,000 in today's inflated dollars). The building itself cost $10,000 ($370,000 today). In 1902 the congregation approved the construction of a two-story addition to house the Sunday School and a dining room and kitchen. The price tag was a hefty $15,000, or $584,000 in the dollars of 2026.
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