Soul to Remain Downtown

We applaud the decision of First United Methodist to remain downtown.

While our reasons are likely different than the church members', both would agree that First United Methodist adds much to our downtown.

Noted architecture critic and historian, Vincent Scully said of buildings "the best ones speak eloquently of human aspirations and human experience".

Scully was quoted as he remarked on the drastic changes in Miami’s skyline ''Cities used to be dominated by churches and public buildings. They had real civic meaning. Think of the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, ....These are just great big cash registers. How can these move you? They can't. You don't associate them with any fundamental meaning. You identify them with making money and people sitting in offices pushing around pieces of paper.''

Our downtown churches provide an anchor for civic life. On the practical side they provide public space, inexpensive and large meeting space for civic events, traditional architecture and the possibility of a quiet and contemplative place. On the spiritual side they provide a very different dimension to the diversity and liveliness of our downtown. We can identify with our downtown churches.

We hope they have at least another 100+ years of success in downtown Sarasota!