Ceiling collapsed on me at an old church in Detroit last weekend

I was checking out this abandoned church near Grand River Avenue, just taking photos of the stained glass, when a whole section of ceiling came down maybe 20 feet away from me. Dust everywhere, I couldn't see for a solid 5 minutes. Scared me bad enough that I just left and didn't even get the shots I wanted. Has anyone else had a close call like that inside a place that looked stable from outside?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_blair4d ago

Man that stained glass in Detroit is legendary Ive been meaning to get out there. The thing with churches especially old brick ones is they look solid but the roof structure can be completely rotted out from decades of water damage. I had a similar scare in a warehouse near the Packard Plant a few years back. The whole floor above me looked fine until I stepped on a soft spot and my leg went through up to my knee. Now I always carry a long pole or a screwdriver to poke at floors and ceilings before I commit to a spot. That dust you mentioned is no joke either it can have asbestos in it from old insulation or plaster. Definitely get a good respirator if you go back.

the_dylan4d ago

soft spot" story got me @the_blair. Used to bluff everything now I take the pole tip seriously.