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Goodbye to The Routley Center,
the green awning, and life downtown.
From Lowell and Terry
“What God hath wrought.” These words from Numbers 23 are a famous part of American history. In 1884, artist turned inventor, Samuel Morse, tapped out those words on the first “internet instant messaging” called telegraph from Baltimore, MD to Washington, D.C. The phrase testified to Morse’s acknowledgement of God as partner in his life events and that God deserved the glory and credit.
Like Samuel Morse, I believe that God deserves credit for His active involvement personally in my life, demonstrated once again in recent events. Let me begin with background and set the stage for how Terry and I experienced God’s presence.
In 1996, I bought a downtown building that Dubuque residents identified either as the place where the cook was murdered or the building on Central painted “baby poop yellow.” The color was something I could change; time already had diminished the murder. Good friends John and Judy Adelmann, Tom Kueper, and others joined in to paint away that ugly, though, historical color of Confederate Yellow. Terry and Lori even learned to conquer a fear of height and ride the boom-lift to paint third story windows. The addition of the green awning with the business name was the final step in transforming the exterior. Like a metaphor of redemption, the building experienced an identity change becoming known by the name on the sign. It no longer represented shameful notoriety. The Routley Center represented to the community that building across from City Hall on Central and to others a place of help “under the green awning.”
I believe that the changes in the appearance sparked other businesses to upgrade their properties. DB&T, our neighbor to the north, transformed the old Union Bank building shortly after we moved in which made the area safer. City Hall followed by changing the entrances and landscaping to be historically consistent.
The Walsh store closed and the majestic building stood unoccupied for two years until purchased by DB&T. That purchase, unbeknownst to many, brought the Walsh Building full circle. The German Savings Bank originally occupied the south end of the Walsh Building and closed during World War I because being German was not popular then in Dubuque. The bank changed its name to Union Bank and moved across the street in the same block. The Union Bank building is the old part of DB&T and still displays the name above the original entrance. The Walsh Building underwent a transformation that restored the original brick and the glass storefronts with nicely painted trim. The colors from our building became the basis for the color choice. The building remains but identity based on the white building with the Walsh sign is gone.
There are many other stories in the neighborhood that were all part of the adventure of living downtown. Our building represented home, practice, and a retirement investment, and was truly a gift from God. Terry and I had both experienced the Lord as the Great Physician in our recovery from life-threatening illnesses exactly one year apart. The view from our third story loft apartment in downtown Dubuque was gorgeous. Each season displayed the beauty of God’s creation through its unique colors. The neighborhood with its stately architecture, the dissonant sounds of traffic, and gardens tended by others made life good. Life was settling down.
When Terry and I learned that Dubuque Public Schools planned to rebuild Prescott School in another downtown location that was heard as one more interesting transformation in our neighborhood. And then the letter came! “You are to be informed that a public hearing will be held to determine whether the blocks bounded by Central and White between 11th and 13th Street or Central and Main between 10th and 12th Street will be the site for the new school.”
Yes, we got militant. This building was from God to be used to His glory in many ways. So we attended the meetings. We actively voiced our concerns to defend what God had provided to us. We sat stunned on hearing the school board vote to take all the buildings in our block and the next for the new school by right of eminent domain.
The negotiations for settlement began. It was over. Then the historical preservation groups began their campaign. As the historical groups fought to preserve the buildings, it felt like the salt in the wound. On three occasions over the eight years prior, we sought their help to find grants available for historical restoration to preserve the structure and restore the original storefront.. We were told we didn’t qualify because the historical area ended west of Central Avenue. The potential for bitterness, for discouragement, even for being angry with God was there. It would be easy to say God was taking back what He gave. Feelings of injustice could build up steam if I dwelled on the financial impact. Feelings of loss and disappointment could descend like a black cloud. I sensed those thoughts and feelings flitting through my consciousness.
It is in these very times that I am reminded of how big my God really is. God brings to my mind in these times a verse I claimed as my life verse many years ago. I Thessalonians 5:24 – “Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass.”
Though the year of transition has not been easy, God was obviously with us. Actually, the desire to make life simple from the last move is truer this time. While I searched for new office property, Terry searched for a new home. Our choices were five blocks apart. Not quite like walking downstairs to the office, but close. The required maintenance is less. There is a garage to use. Etc.
What has God wrought? He was with Terry and me through unanticipated, undeserved events. Was what happened unfair? Sure. Did God abandon us? No. Was it lonely and scary for us at times? It definitely felt that way. Did God change His mind about what He gave us? No, He keeps giving gifts. The adventure using His current gift for home and ministry will be interesting.
I wrote this as my personal assignment to look back and see God’s presence through the events of this year. I share this with the hope to challenge others to think beyond experiences and how one might expect God to act. In stead, look at what is happening and know that God is looking farther down the road than you can see in the moment. Credit God with where you are in your circumstances as evidence of His keeping his promise.
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