Photos: Historic Tucson church-turned-bar gutted by fire in 1983 and demolished

The cornerstone for the University Methodist Episcopal Church at 745 E. University Blvd. was placed in 1923. It was designed by Henry O. Jaastad, notable Tucson architect who was the city’s mayor in the 1930s-40s. The stately, three-story building with four Greek columns towered over the mostly one-story homes in the West University Neighborhood.

The building’s life as a church would span 50 years and three congregations. It began as University Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1952, it became University Baptist Church. It was sold again in 1962 and became the Metropolitan Baptist Church founded by Rev. Bill Bowler, who was known for his popular Tucson radio ministry, "Bill Bowler Live," for 47 years.

In 1975, the building was purchased by Tempe investors Donald M. Reno and Cyrus W. Vaughn III, who converted the church into a bar and restaurant called Dooley’s. They had similar businesses near university campuses in Michigan and Illinois. They also planned on another Dooley’s near ASU in Tempe.

Delays pushed back completion and the opening. The vacant building was becoming a blot on the neighborhood. At a liquor license hearing more than 400 residents protested the application, but 1,200 people supported it. Management said Dooley’s would open on Aug. 1.

The bar finally opened on Dec. 30, 1977, more than two years after the church was sold. It was an interesting, multi-level interior – a great place to hang out. Nearly all of the new structures inside were made of wood.

In late 1982, Dooley’s was sold to new investors who owned the rock club Hammerhead’s in Tempe. One investor, Chris Martino, said, “Tucson needs a party bar. I’ve been to all the bars around here, and I think I can do a better job.” He added they would install big-screen TV’s so bar patrons could watch MTV music videos (that was a thing then).

Just after 10pm on July 3, 1983, neighbors reported a fire in the huge building. Fueled by wood and varnish, it quickly grew to a four-alarm blaze. It took 64 Tucson firefighters to bring the fire under control. The building was gutted.

Arson investigators quickly determined the fire was deliberate. Flammable liquid has been poured on the main floor and several other points and ignited, according to Tucson Fire Department investigator Kirk Simmons. The sprinkler system was disabled and emptied of water.

While arson investigators were convinced there was intent, they did not have enough evidence to go to a grand jury. The owners had solid alibis.

The building was sold at auction to an investor in April, 1987. Most of the proceeds went to the insurance company. But there was little hope that the building could be saved.

Finally, the Tucson City Council okay’d the permit to raze the building after city engineers warned it was an imminent hazard. On May 14, demolition crews started their work.

If there was a bright spot, the stately columns that greeted parishioners were salvaged and now stand inside the University of Arizona College of Architecture.

The site of the church is now home to the University of Arizona Visitor's Center.

All photos © Arizona Daily Star/Tucson Citizen