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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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 UA-cam.
I also grew up in this church. As you said, it was First Baptist Church. I attended from the time I was 4 or 5 until I was in my mid-teens. The first worship area you entered was the Sanctuary. It was where all of our formal church services were held. Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings. The younger kids Sunday School classes were on the lower floor. The few times we went to the formal church service on Sunday mornings, we had to climb the stairs to get up to where the Sanctuary was. The Sanctuary had white wooden pews with cushioned seats. I believe the balcony seating area also had white pews with cushioned seats. I was baptized in that baptismal area when I was about 8 years old. The smaller worship area you entered around 11:50 in the video was the Chapel. It was in the far left building when you were facing the church. My husband and I were married there in December of 1980. My parents were married in that same Chapel in 1956. First Baptist sold the building to another younger church, and they couldn’t support the upkeep of the building. Thank you for sharing this. While it makes me very sad to see what has become of the building, it was comforting to see that it is still standing, and the Chapel seems to be intact.
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!"
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.
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.
it was insanely expensive to keep up. the downtown area of beaumont is pretty empty (when the church was built, it was the place to be) and they couldn’t keep up with the maintenance cost as the attendance declined
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?"
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.
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?
I believe they had 4 bowling lanes in the basement for the youth as well. I know a bowling center mechanic that used to go and repair them as needed. Unless I am thinking of the wrong downtown church
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 🤔
there was a massive sale. couches for 75 cents. they couldn’t get it all off there hands. a building this massive had so much more furniture than people wanted especially as most of it was outdated.
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
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.
But what they should have done to maintain the chruch was nock down one or two of there buliding and re doing the lay out with still up stairs class for youth and kids zone adults and foreign countries on th bottom floor . Add evlvetar for access to the upstairs area included sanctuary re build the upstairs sanctuary and build a better fellowship hall along with a new playground . They could have saved it if they had the numbers installed of building a new chruch somewhere else's it just needs flipping
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!?
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.
there was a massive sale. couches for 75 cents, chairs for a dollar. there was just so much furniture that i couldn’t all sell or otherwise be put to use.
Most abandoned church buildings are not fit for human habitation (structurally unsound, not near enough bathrooms, etc). Besides, put a bunch of drunks, druggies, and mental cases (ie, most homeless people) in there, and they would trash the place.
Frist sanctuary was the main one the second one could have been the original sanctuary until it reach it's capacity aa the years went by population must of grew in significant from to where they needed a bigger space then as chrich add differences forn country started to from . In the Baptist ministry, they need a place for their people, and thats why they probably keep the second one, or maybe it was for faulks who wanted a tradition service vs new thats why they probably keep the original.
I refuse to believe that a congregation that is Spirit-led would waste all of that money. Doesn’t make sense. This appears to have merely been a social club, like a dated skating rink. My church has been in the same building for nearly 100 years, and our growth has just now pushed us toward a new building on the same land.
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!
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.
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.
I’m sorry you made this decision. I understand the feelings of not wanting to go to church, and hear nothing but how sinful you are. I left the Baptist church, but I didn’t leave God. God is my rock.
i’m also deconstructed but attended this church. it’s sad to see the state. the attendance declined to a point the maintenance and operation costs were not sustainable.
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!
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.
@@JaredCokerUrbex Agreed, that place is ENORMOUS. It would have taken days to see it all!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
I grew up in this church and worked there for a time. It’s so sad to see it in that shape 😢
Wow!
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 UA-cam.
As the daughter of one of the former pastors, I would love to go inside one last time. So many memories.
I also grew up in this church. As you said, it was First Baptist Church. I attended from the time I was 4 or 5 until I was in my mid-teens. The first worship area you entered was the Sanctuary. It was where all of our formal church services were held. Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings. The younger kids Sunday School classes were on the lower floor. The few times we went to the formal church service on Sunday mornings, we had to climb the stairs to get up to where the Sanctuary was. The Sanctuary had white wooden pews with cushioned seats. I believe the balcony seating area also had white pews with cushioned seats. I was baptized in that baptismal area when I was about 8 years old. The smaller worship area you entered around 11:50 in the video was the Chapel. It was in the far left building when you were facing the church. My husband and I were married there in December of 1980. My parents were married in that same Chapel in 1956. First Baptist sold the building to another younger church, and they couldn’t support the upkeep of the building. Thank you for sharing this. While it makes me very sad to see what has become of the building, it was comforting to see that it is still standing, and the Chapel seems to be intact.
Yeah of course. glad you got to see it
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!"
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.
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.
it was insanely expensive to keep up. the downtown area of beaumont is pretty empty (when the church was built, it was the place to be) and they couldn’t keep up with the maintenance cost as the attendance declined
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?"
I'm planning on going here soon!
Amazing house of worship hope someone can find away to rescue this work of art.
especially the pretty stained glass there. Unusual for a baptist church
Mom wake up Jared Coker posted
😂😂
I’ve been in there also, i’ve seen some photos online and i’m going there again to take before and after pictures
Truly epic
Awesome video
Thank you!
Way cool building
A church called Faith to Faith was using part of the building for a little while, but they moved
It's called a SANCTUARY!!!
Exactly.
Pretty sure Awana is a year round kids program, for, like, midweek services.
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 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.
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?
Yeah I caught a lot of good breaks this trip, this one being open was definitely one of them.
I believe they had 4 bowling lanes in the basement for the youth as well. I know a bowling center mechanic that used to go and repair them as needed. Unless I am thinking of the wrong downtown church
That was a separate building on the corner of Calder and Magnolia. It also had a basketball gym that doubled as a roller skating rink.
@@pabs4100 Thanks!
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 🤔
Usually it's just a matter of if I see a way in then I'll go for it
Unbelievable, why wasn’t this stuff donated or given away to nonprofits! Just sad! I literally need some filing cabinets!
What makes you think they didn’t try?
@@colinbocher8102 because you wouldn’t see it still in the building.
there was a massive sale. couches for 75 cents. they couldn’t get it all off there hands. a building this massive had so much more furniture than people wanted especially as most of it was outdated.
Where is it?
It’s a RODGERS electronic organ
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
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.
It's always possible, maybe at least one of them
My kids are in awanas during school year it's not vbs here
Heartbreaking
We went n there last night we are going again to take videos again tonight
Most likely the second “hall” was the chapel.
If the church just moved and didn’t close permanently why would they leave their books and things there
Yeah, I don't get that either.
But what they should have done to maintain the chruch was nock down one or two of there buliding and re doing the lay out with still up stairs class for youth and kids zone adults and foreign countries on th bottom floor . Add evlvetar for access to the upstairs area included sanctuary re build the upstairs sanctuary and build a better fellowship hall along with a new playground .
They could have saved it if they had the numbers installed of building a new chruch somewhere else's it just needs flipping
Just where do you live?
The Kansas City area.
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!?
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.
there was a massive sale. couches for 75 cents, chairs for a dollar. there was just so much furniture that i couldn’t all sell or otherwise be put to use.
It’s called a sanctuary
America has massive open buildings. Yet have a massive homeless problem. What up?
Not enough people are willing to make the effort to help the homeless, including a lot of the homeless themselves. Freedom of America baby!!🦅🦅🇺🇸🇺🇸
Most abandoned church buildings are not fit for human habitation (structurally unsound, not near enough bathrooms, etc). Besides, put a bunch of drunks, druggies, and mental cases (ie, most homeless people) in there, and they would trash the place.
There’s no way I’d go in there alone
O que aconteceu? Este lugar era pra ser de luz e acolhimento e está entregue as trevas e ao abandono.
I really like the show but the music is distracting. Thank you 3:19
Sorry you didn't like it, I try to make it quiet enough to where it's noticeable but not distracting.
Frist sanctuary was the main one the second one could have been the original sanctuary until it reach it's capacity aa the years went by population must of grew in significant from to where they needed a bigger space then as chrich add differences forn country started to from . In the Baptist ministry, they need a place for their people, and thats why they probably keep the second one, or maybe it was for faulks who wanted a tradition service vs new thats why they probably keep the original.
And mansions
Spiritual warfare. That’s what the prayer room is about
If I can make a suggestion, please move the camera/walk a little slower so its easier to look around with you! Good job.
Thanks, it's something I always try to remember but often forget about in the moment 👍
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
You’re tithing paid for this and no one else could run it left to nobody to keep it going right!!
I refuse to believe that a congregation that is Spirit-led would waste all of that money. Doesn’t make sense. This appears to have merely been a social club, like a dated skating rink. My church has been in the same building for nearly 100 years, and our growth has just now pushed us toward a new building on the same land.
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!
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.
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.
Deconverted? You mean backslide?
@@jdawz2816 -- Apostatized is the proper term. Went over to the Dark Side would be another way to put it.
I’m sorry you made this decision. I understand the feelings of not wanting to go to church, and hear nothing but how sinful you are. I left the Baptist church, but I didn’t leave God. God is my rock.
i’m also deconstructed but attended this church. it’s sad to see the state. the attendance declined to a point the maintenance and operation costs were not sustainable.
It's not AN AUDITORIUM!!!!!!!
This would make a wonderful Islamic Center