Church is a part of community’s history

St. Luke's and Physicians' Clinic of Iowa are moving into my backyard. I just hope they're willing to play fair.

Their plans to put First Christian Church on the chopping block are disheartening. And to do so for the sake of a few dozen parking spaces? That's just foolish.

The building has historical significance. Louis Millet, who designed the windows in First Christian Church, was a creative contemporary of Grant Wood and Marvin Cone. It would be thoughtless to strip Cedar Rapids of the beautiful work Millet left behind.

I am too young to have watched the city raze the historic Union Station in the 1960s. But the parallels between that stain on our history and this pending demolition can be seen by every generation.

I look out my window every morning and see the transformation happening before my eyes. In 50 years, I don't want to be able to say I had a front-row seat for this negligence.

St. Luke's and PCI, rethink your decision. This isn't just about the future of your business - it's about the history of our community.

Maggie Mills

Cedar Rapids