The historic Saint Thomas Baptist Church in Menlo had once been a vibrant hub of the local African-American community, a beloved landmark that had stood for generations. However, the passage of time had not been kind to the aging structure, and in recent decades the church building had fallen into a state of disrepair.

Despite pleas from concerned citizens who were concerned about the safety of the dilapidated church building, the Menlo City Council had hesitated to take action when some area residents asked for the city to take the building on Franklin Street down. The city said in May of 2023 that they would have to consult with the city’s attorney before any action could be taken.

The church’s fate was sealed when the heavy rains off Hurricane Helene swept through the region last week, completely collapsing the deteriorating structure and reducing it to a mere pile of weathered wood and crumbled masonry.

For longtime Menlo residents, the loss of the Saint Thomas Baptist Church stirred up a wellspring of cherished memories – recollections of joyous all-day services filled with soulful gospel music, celebratory gatherings of the tight-knit congregation, and the sense of community and faith that had been a part of the church’s history. Though the building itself is now gone, the emotional impact it had on generations of Menlo’s African-American families ensures that the spirit of the Saint Thomas Baptist Church will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those who hold it dear.