Mathiowetz Construction demolishes original Eventide building in preparation for new Assembly of God sanctuary
On Tuesday morning, December 17, Mathiowetz Construction of Sleepy Eye provided an end that actually signals a new beginning. Crews began demolishing the original Eventide Home building in Mountain Lake, preparing for the spring building project of a new sanctuary for the Mountain Lake Assembly of God. The church will use the newer portion of the facility – formerly the Eventide Suites – as classrooms and other church amenities. It was through donations from various local churches – together with a large donation from Charles Gilfillan of Redwood Falls – made the Eventide Home possible. The Eventide Nursing Home was completed in 1949, recognized by a cornerstone block (see photo at bottom), and opened in 1950. A monument recognizing Gilfillian’s contribution stood at the northwest corner of the property. Early administrators included Anna Isaac, Ella Schmidt and Jacob Krause. It was operated together with Bethel Hospital until it became affiliated with the Good Samaritan Society. In 1978 it was remodeled to meet state requirements, and then changed once again, creating larger assisted living units when all nursing care patients became residents of the Good Samaritan Village.
Following are a few photographs from the demolition. (Note in the second to last photo what remains of the stairway to the basement. One one nice day, the outside door, which led to the basement stairs and to the kitchen, was propped open, and a young doe found its way inside and into the basement):
