KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A landmark fixture in western Michigan is being demolished after 140 years.

Crews began tearing down the walls of the First Reformed Church in downtown Kalamazoo this past week but were able to salvage some stained-glass windows and other items, according to WOOD-TV.

The church bordered popular Bronson Park and has been vacant since closing in 2003. The cost to repair it was considerably high and not enough funding was available, according to First Congregational Senior Pastor Nathan Dannison.

“I know that when we began, it was our hope that we could find a way to save the structure but these buildings, when they are left to sit for any length of time at all, immediately, the costs of restoration become astronomical,” Dannison said. “We were estimating three to five million just to be able to get people back into that building and that was without making any of the necessary accessibility upgrades that we would want to do.”

First Congregational Church has been working with the Kalamazoo Nature Center to create a children’s playscape in the church’s place. Dannison said they wanted to make sure the space would be designated for community use.

“Even though it’s sad to see it come down, something new in its place that’s for the benefit of all of the people of Kalamazoo, especially the kids,” Dannison said. “I think that’s really going to honor the spirit of church square.”