Gary, Indiana was a booming steel town in the early 1900s, and this church was a symbol of wealth and hope. But when the steel industry started collapsing in the ’60s and ’70s, people left the city and the church couldn’t survive. By 1975, the congregation was down to just 100 members from thousands, so they shut the doors for good. Even though it’s been falling apart for almost 50 years, the building still has those grand, eerie vibes — like something straight out of a movie. Speaking of movies, Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) and Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) both filmed scenes there. It’s also one of the most photographed urban exploration spots in the Midwest.
