Timmons Temple gets a 1-month reprieve from demolition

A group of preservations have been given more time to save Timmons Temple, an 80-year-old, rock-walled church with historic significance for Springfield's black community.

The ad hoc group is raising funds in hopes of moving the massive Timmons Temple building to nearby Silver Springs Park.

Since mid-April, the group has gathered more than $70,000, as well as in-kind donations.

The group — led by Landmarks Board member David Eslick and former board president Paula Ringer — had previously imposed a fundraising deadline of today. The building was scheduled for demolition in late-June and moving crews need several days to prep and move the massive structure.

The preservation group announced today that the developer of the property, who hopes to build an apartment complex on the plot of land where the temple stands, has granted an extension.

The donation and pledge deadline is now July 14.

Ringer says they need an additional $130,000 to move the structure and place it soundly in the park.

Several community members have added to the chorus of calls to save the church, including the temple's former pastor; the granddaughter of John S. Owen, who is believed to have built the rock building; and several others.

The preservationists are ratcheting up their efforts with an Indiegogo online fundraising campaign in addition to donations accepted through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

A group of Drury University videography students and teachers has created an online video highlighting the church's historic, cultural and architectural significance.

Timmons Temple is located — for now — at 934 E. Webster St.

More information can be found on the group's Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/savetimmonstemple

A open house fundraising event is scheduled at the church, 934 E. Webster, on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4pm.