Lost Omaha IV: Hanscom Park Methodist Church

Hanscom Park Methodist Church, 29th & Woolworth Avenue in 1917

Hanscom Park Methodist Church was established in 1886. In 1893, a new wood-framed church was built at the northeast corner of what was then known as Woolworth and Georgia Avenue, though with the re-naming of the streets, Woolworth and 29th Street. The church was dedicated to much fanfare in November, 1893, "receiv[ing] the hearty congratulations among the Evangelical layman of the city." (1)

Hanscom Park Methodist Church in 1907
1345 South 29th Street

The fledgling church faced trouble nearly immediately, facing foreclosure over a $1,000 bill for the pews and pulpit from the Wabash Church and School Furniture Company of Wabash, Indiana. Contemporary news reports do not disclose how the suit was eventually settled, but report that the church was considered so financially well off, the old building was presented to a young congregation on the west side. (2)

In 1955, a $100,000 22-classroom addition was added. Within two years, all the buildings and homes between 29th and 29th Street from Dodge to Ed Creighton Blvd were slated for demolition for the interstate. Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Pastor of the church, offered no resistance to the plan, recognizing the necessity of the project. The church, said Dr. Schwartz, was perhaps the largest wooden Methodist church in the country, and the large lighted cross was used by nighttime fliers as a landmark. The congregation took a 2 1/4 acre option at 45th and Frances in 1957. The move came at a good time, said Dr. Schwartz. The church was celebrating their 75th anniversary in 1962. "We had planned some improvements, but it looks these are going to be more extensive than we figured," he said. (3)

Hanscom Park Methodist Church
45th and Frances campus (June, 1966)

After several years of negotiation, beginning with the refusal of a $194,000 offer from the Nebraska Highway Commission, the church reached a settlement of $210,000. A $123,000 education unit - to be used for worship services until a sanctuary could be built - was designed by Wallace and Burrill, and construction began with the groundbreaking on November 13, 1960. It was said to seat 500 and would later be accommodated to seat 1,000 Sunday school pupils. The total church construction would be $600,000. The church faced a lingering of issue of having to vacate the old property by May 15, 1961 and the new building was not scheduled to be finished until August 1. (4)

Hanscom Park Church damaged by fire
June, 1961

On Saturday, June 24, 1961, fire damaged the shell of Hanscom Park Methodist Church, then in the process of being razed for the interstate. The fire began on the roof and firemen were hampered by the weakened condition of the building, since razing had begun in May. Only the walls and roof remained standing, and all the furniture had since been removed. (5)

Hanscom Park Methodist Church continues to meet at 45th and Frances Street.

Today's view of where Hanscom Park Methodist Church stood at the
northeast corner of 29th and Woolworth (courtesy of Google Earth)

(1) November 11, 1893, Omaha World-Herald
(2) November 12, 1893, Omaha World-Herald
(3) November 16, 1957, Omaha World-Herald
(4) August 13, 1960, Omaha World-Herald and November 12, 1960, Omaha World-Herald
(5) June 25, 1961, Omaha World-Herald