Gretchen kept the steeple in view. Surely, a place that had a steeple with a cross was a place where she could find refuge and help.
Footsore, dirty, hungry, tired to the bone, she trudged until she saw a parking lot. No cars. The sign in front of the building was a real estate “For Sale” sign that had been covered with a SOLD! banner.
Underneath, she read, “New Home of Community Theatre, Open in Summer of 2022!”
She crumpled, fading as she hit the ground. Her body was a grisly welcome for the renovation crew.
Just Writing! 
In the Diocese of Scranton, around ten years ago, they were forced to close a lot of parishes for lack of money. One church was even turned into a funeral home
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Very sad, to me. Happens, though, when parishioners die, move away, etc. and young people aren’t carrying on the work of the church.
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Oh? I thought it was longer ago than 10 years. My old church/school building in Wilkes-Barre has been apartments for more than 10 years.
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It’s been at least ten to fifteen years
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It has been a continuing problem for about 40 years. I don’t know much about the history of the decline of Catholic Churches in America, but it has been a process throughout the country, if not the world. The only place where the RC Church may be growing is Africa. But I’m uncertain of that.
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They must be doing something right In at least some African countries. We often see Nigerian and Ugandan priests in parishes in the Rockvillle Centre N.Y. Diocese
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And if wasn’t even a bad repurposing either!
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Nope. Just not what she needed.
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Aïe…that hits hard as a read…
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Then I did what I set out to do 🙂
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Tragic. The ending dropped me like a rock.
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Life is often not happily ever after.
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So true.
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Well done, but such a sad story.
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Thank you. Yes, it’s very sad.
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The poor woman could go no further 😦 What a needless tragedy.
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Linda,
Very dark, and maybe an allegory for where the world is headed given the church dwindling in influence as it becomes more a place of entertainment than a refuge for the hopeless and the lost.
pax,
dora
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Yes, that’s a good description of the decline. It’s so sad to me, being a preacher’s kid, to see so many churches closing.
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So sad. The state can’t be expected to help everyone. There are always gaps in the system and charities usually pick up the pieces.
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One wonders about the backstory that led her to such a tragic end.
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that’s sad. hope she finds more places to go.
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That swiftly turned from hope to despair. Well done.
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Thanks, Sandra.
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A tragic tale indeed. I live next door to a church with a tall steeple. It’s for sale with planning permission for converting into apartments. At least it won’t be demolished.
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So sad. More than a building, she needed a good Samaritan to come by and help her get on her feet again.
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Yes. Sadly, that didn’t happen for her.
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I think we see the story with the sold churches everywhere (where I work, a small church is going to be converted into a hall for prsentations: great acoustics.) Great descriptions of the hope turning into despair for your poor MC.
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Thanks 🙂
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Such a sad story, Linda. Like almost anything, the use for a building can disappear leaving it open for other interpretations, which is not always a bad thing – better than demolishing.
Your poor girl would have needed anyone to help her upon seeing her.
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Yes. But no one did see her, or if they did they kept right on going.
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That’s what I’m saying. Anyone who did, chose not to see her, I’m thinking.
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What a sad story. Too bad she couldn’t have made it a little further (assuming there was anything a little father to see).
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Apparently this building was more on the outskirts. And her energy was gone.
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My goodness a story in the realm of Charles Dickens.
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Hmmm. I do love me some Dickens 🙂
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This is such a sad reality. Recently our minister spoke of the decline in church membership that is reaching a threshold with many of the smaller churches going under for lack of support. It is a sad, very sad, testament to our times. My hubby and I have left a “mega-wannabe” church with over 900 members to attend a much, much smaller one with about 200 on the rolls and about a hundred in service of a sunday. Most of them are over the age of 60, too. I often fear that with all the pandemic losses, that number may get even smaller. I’ve been through one church closing in my lifetime ( a small one room church with no plumbing) and do not wish to experience another. Sigh….
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This is indeed a sad reality.
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Dear Linda,
What a soul crushing disappointment. I think of a little church building near us that has been everything from a theater to a furniture store. I’ll have to check to see what it is these days.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very sad.
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So close to supposed sanctuary, very sad.
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What a sad message your story conveys. The church, which should have been a refuge, is empty and locked. It feels as though it was despair that felled Gretchen as much as exhaustion.
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I believe you’re right. Thanks, Penny.
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Chilling. Thanks.
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She just made a temporary stop before going in for some warmth, peace, and love. Might be better than being put up in a hotel for a week. I love you on the spot stories, Linda. They are always closely related to the picture.
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Thank. you!
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Sadly, her journey ended in tragedy.
I was hopeful for her as I read your story, Linda.
A strong and powerful write … Stay Safe 😷
Isadora 😎
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The poor thing. I hope she finds solace and comfort someplace else. Wonderful writing, Linda!
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Thank. you 🙂
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Gosh, that’s a grisly find indeed. What a loss
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Yes. A true tragedy.
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The poor thing! I wish she’d held on a bit longer, knowing that theater folk are often at least as if not more compassionate than the Church …
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