Church that served blacks off endangered list

WEST BADEN SPRING, Ind. - A nearly century-old church in southern Indiana that served blacks who migrated north for jobs at the area's resort hotels has been taken off the state's 10 most endangered buildings list.

The Indiana Landmarks preservation group had placed the First Baptist Church in West Baden Springs on the list in May. Officials say they removed the 1920 frame church from the endangered list because the Southeastern District Association of the Indiana Missionary Baptist State Convention bought it for $1 and plans to obtain money to restore the church and reopen it.

Local historical society member Jeff Lane estimated this year that saving the church would cost at least $200,000.

The church about 40 miles south of Bloomington is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.