This is the church I grew up in. My dad grew up here. My parents met here and married here. I grew up here. This is emotional for me to watch.

@twistoffate4791

Ай бұрын

I can only imagine. I understand how hard it would be to see this. I grew up attending church too, and would feel heartbreak if this happened to the church I grew up in.

@nineteeneightyfour3680

Ай бұрын

Unbelievable how much money has been squandered around the country in the form of church buildings and religion. One thing for sure is the SBC got their take a little along the entire way so the hierarchy is still fat and happy

This is so wild to see! I’ve been part of Beaumont’s First Baptist my whole life. You’re right about why we moved; the building became too expensive to maintain and repair, and most of our membership was across town, as well. The buildings were sold to another church (I don’t remember who) and then to a local property investor and I lost track of the ownership after that. The area you got into was a downstairs entrance that wasn’t often used, and it led you into the dining hall. There was a large commercial-grade kitchen on the other side of the dining hall where we cooked meals and had food for gatherings. Directly above it, following those yellow carpeted stairs (which used to be green carpet) is the main worship center / auditorium. It used to be filled with pews that were sold when we moved from downtown. Behind that and through to the next area was the choir room. That’s where the other set of risers were and all of that music and choir robes were. It’s where they held choir practice on Sundays. Near the choir room was that large organ. That used to be in one of those large “pit” areas of the worship center, and the riser you pointed out was where the drums were. The chairs in the big auditorium looked like the chairs that used to be in the choir room. Further past the choir room where you noted your dusty footprints was a building full of classrooms, as well as where the Hispanic church held their services. Just beyond the library were the staff offices and conference rooms. Absolutely wild to see that fire damage. I think I still have some books from that library (oops). The smaller auditorium was known as “The Chapel” and it was for smaller services and events. I believe the Chinese Church also held their services there. One of the neatest parts of the chapel is the loft in the back that I don’t think you got to see. It’s got a creepy ladder that you climb up to a small couple of rooms where they used to have a soundboard for the chapel audio. The parlor wasn’t used much in my time, as it was pretty dated looking even 20-30 years ago. More than anything, that and the small rooms behind it were used for people to get ready for weddings and such. Just past the AWANA area on the third floor was where the Royal Ambassadors used to meet, the area with the wood floor. It used to have a cool wooden door with all kinds of tame church kid graffiti on it. The best and creepiest parts, though, got missed. There’s a fourth floor that was abandoned even when the building was occupied. It had 60’s/70’s decor and was in bad shape. Wood floors up there, too. It was mainly used for storage and couldn’t be used for anything major since it only had one egress. From the fourth floor there were a handful of ways out onto the roof for some pretty neat views of Beaumont. Alongside that are some cool attic access points to above the sanctuary / worship center and all of the hidden back rooms where speakers and lighting were installed. Such a neat building and so fun to grow up in. I miss those blue cube tile lights, that kicked in some major nostalgia! Thanks for sharing this!

@JaredCokerUrbex

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the info, I wish I would've found that chapel sound board, it would've been neat to see since I did a little bit of audio broadcast work for a class program back in high school. Same with the older top floors, I wish I would've found those too, guess I didn't quite make it everywhere, but it's kinda hard when a place is big enough to have 4 of its own separate buildings.

@adamskylarking

Жыл бұрын

@@JaredCokerUrbex Agreed, that place is ENORMOUS. It would have taken days to see it all!

@Valastia

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Adam! I was fixing to explain everything. I was there the first 32 years of my life. We moved about 4 years after I was married in that Chapel. Most people got married in the auditorium, but I like how the Chapel stayed the same since I was born.

@johnw2026

Ай бұрын

I got the feeling when he went into the smaller chapel, that this was the original sanctuary, and the larger one was built when the small one was outgrown. That's what a lot of churches do, and then re-purpose the old sanctuary for other uses. Am I right in this case?

As the daughter of one of the former pastors, I would love to go inside one last time. So many memories.

I used to be a church directory photographer and learned to hate steps, even a small raised threshold was a nightmare. No one talks about the accessibility issues with these old churches. One church member remarked, "Who ever thought a hundred steps leading to the church was a good idea?"

Surprising to me they removed all the church benches from both levels of the worship hall and how few chairs they have. I remember it being filled with people every Sunday and the Minister of Music having us sing to the tune of "Love Lifted Me" we sang "Two thousand and two, two thousand and two -- that's our goal for Sunday School, Two Thousand Two!"

I really enjoyed this Texas trip. Something about this whole trip just had some real comfy vibes to it, and you got out without something too spooky happening. Seriously, can't wait to see what your next adventure is like, Jared.

@JaredCokerUrbex

Жыл бұрын

I actually felt the same way, it shocked me how easy and natural the whole process felt this time around. It just felt like I was on vacation.

I grew up in this church and worked there for a time. It’s so sad to see it in that shape 😢

@machiavellisprince5986

Ай бұрын

Wow!

@twistoffate4791

Ай бұрын

I am so sorry. It is heartbreaking to see this. I never thought I'd ever see any church structure abandoned, but I have seen too many of them on KZread.

Amazing house of worship hope someone can find away to rescue this work of art.

@resetsetmefree478

Ай бұрын

especially the pretty stained glass there. Unusual for a baptist church

You always do great tours Jared. I bet that complex was too expensive to keep in operation. Can you imagine just the AC/heat bill? Hopefully it will get reproposed.

Mom wake up Jared Coker posted

@JaredCokerUrbex

Жыл бұрын

😂😂

It’s a RODGERS electronic organ

It's called a SANCTUARY!!!

@twistoffate4791

Ай бұрын

Exactly.

Truly epic

2:22 Was that window another possible entrance? Didn't know what floor this would have been. Loved that table falling sloooowwwwly succumbing to the weight of those monitors. Yet another cool video.

I'm planning on going here soon!

There’s no way I’d go in there alone

America has massive open buildings. Yet have a massive homeless problem. What up?

@Shortlifeexplorers

Ай бұрын

Not enough people are willing to make the effort to help the homeless, including a lot of the homeless themselves. Freedom of America baby!!🦅🦅🇺🇸🇺🇸

We went n there last night we are going again to take videos again tonight

Way cool building

Awesome video

@JaredCokerUrbex

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I’ve been in there also, i’ve seen some photos online and i’m going there again to take before and after pictures

If the church just moved and didn’t close permanently why would they leave their books and things there

@twistoffate4791

Ай бұрын

Yeah, I don't get that either.

I thought the last one was like my church but this one is identical, look up First Baptist Church Palatka you’ll see what it was like before it shut down.

Heartbreaking

I wonder if Clay Walker, Tracy Byrd, and Mark Chesnutt were members of this Church/Congregation, since all three of them grew up in Beaumont, Texas. Yes, I know these are country artist of the1990s, but I still listen to them and rest of 1980s and 1990s country music. I really hope a new congregation will come in and buy the building and make it new again. God Bless - Jason.

@JaredCokerUrbex

Ай бұрын

It's always possible, maybe at least one of them

You’re tithing paid for this and no one else could run it left to nobody to keep it going right!!

Pretty sure Awana is a year round kids program, for, like, midweek services.

@JaredCokerUrbex

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I got it confused for VBS (Vacation Bible School) which was just a week long summer program. Either way, both bring back memories.

I’ve been here before!! Explored the whole place, the kids play room was the creepiest room, I got a few good pictures. I wanna go explore it again but is it closed off now?

@JaredCokerUrbex

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I caught a lot of good breaks this trip, this one being open was definitely one of them.

As a former evangelical Christian who deconverted over two decades ago, I have mixed feelings about this video. One is a sense of sadness thinking about the devout believers who probably sacrificed their time, effort and money (tithing) into their faith and this building and seeing it rot away like this. The other thought I have is contentedness seeing another example of blind faith and belief in the magical being relegated to the dustbin.

@nineteeneightyfour3680

Ай бұрын

Ten years ago I left the evangelical faith and my only regret is ever being a part of it. When it’s how you are raised it understandable how kids reared in islam follow their parents religion. It’s would be so much better if people could read their bible as a history book with a few partial pages that tell how to be saved in the age of grace via the words of God given to Paul. Jesus never mentioned it during his time on earth yet it is what modern church is built on Jesus words to Israel. Glad I know that I am not Israel or grafted in or that the church replaced Israel given it didn’t.

@jdawz2816

Ай бұрын

Deconverted? You mean backslide?

I would absolutely love to explore abandoned places! I would be afraid of getting caught. Curious how much recon goes into deciding if the risk is worth the reward 🤔

@JaredCokerUrbex

10 ай бұрын

Usually it's just a matter of if I see a way in then I'll go for it

I imagine they couldn't sell it, otherwise HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!? Leaving all those tables, chairs, podiums, toys, BOOKS, choir robes, maps, file cabinets, desks, cribs, MUSIC!?

@silentex

Жыл бұрын

The church was sold to a private investor in 2012. The investor briefly leased it to another small church, but ultimately they either moved locations or dissolved.

Most likely the second “hall” was the chapel.

Unbelievable, why wasn’t this stuff donated or given away to nonprofits! Just sad! I literally need some filing cabinets!

@colinbocher8102

Ай бұрын

What makes you think they didn’t try?

@keith.wilson1981

Ай бұрын

@@colinbocher8102 because you wouldn’t see it still in the building.

It’s called a sanctuary

O que aconteceu? Este lugar era pra ser de luz e acolhimento e está entregue as trevas e ao abandono.

5:07 ESV and thats probably why they were left there, many churches prefer the King james for worship services. The old thee and thou just sounds better and more respectful and reverent

Where is it?

I really like the show but the music is distracting. Thank you 3:19

@JaredCokerUrbex

Ай бұрын

Sorry you didn't like it, I try to make it quiet enough to where it's noticeable but not distracting.

Spiritual warfare. That’s what the prayer room is about

I looked at this church 2 years ago and a guy told me that he had purchased the church so I moved on with the grant offer

And mansions

It's not AN AUDITORIUM!!!!!!!

That is NOT a church, it's a building! Those who are true believers in Christ are the church (ekklesia GK) and there's nothing holy about this structure!