Residents React to Tremont Temple Baptist Church Demolition in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -Demolition crews started tearing down Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Macon Monday morning,after several months of controversy between the city's planning and zoning commission and historic preservationists.

Nearby residents say they're disappointed the site is now a memory,and they hope the city will do more to save pieces of history.

"I'm highly upset and of course, we're at the very end moment know, they have destroyed this place. And the people who are doing it should be ashamed for what a Dunkin' Donuts."

As cranes and bulldozers began tearing down 115 years of memories,Macon residents looked on....some in disbelief.

"This place has a history and a meaning that should have lasted for us going forward, but we don't value these things in Macon," one resident said.

Macon-Bibb's Planning and Zoning Commission made the decision last month to move forward with the demolition of the church, which had been vacant for seven years.

Officials with Historic Macon made attemps to try and save the building, but were unsuccessful.

Residents say it's a blow to the city's history.

"You lose Tremont Temple which had a lot of historic significance as far as the civil rights movement, the local bus boycott and other events as well as the Douglas House," one resident said.

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Residents React to Tremont Temple Baptist Church Demolition in Macon