When the Walls Come Down – Remembering Flint Central High School

Focus Scripture

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." – Isaiah 40:8

Thoughts

Rumor has it that Flint Central High School—the once-proud red and black beacon on Crapo Street—is finally being demolished. As a proud alum who walked those halls from 1984 to 1986, it’s hard not to feel a deep ache in my heart. My grandma graduated from Central in the 1930's. My parents followed in the 1950's. I followed in the 1980's. For generations, it was more than a school—it was a legacy.

From spirited pep rallies in the auditorium to Friday night lights at Atwood Stadium, Flint Central was where friendships were formed, dreams were chased, and memories were cemented in the bricks. And though I transferred to Flint Powers Catholic for my junior and senior years, Central still feels like part of my foundation—one I share with many lifelong friends.

Now, the building may be crumbling, and bulldozers may soon erase what once stood tall, but here’s the truth: memories are not made of mortar. You can demolish a building, but you can’t demolish legacy, laughter, or the lessons learned within those walls.

Scripture reminds us in Isaiah that while earthly things fade—grass withers, flowers fall—God’s word and truth endure forever. Buildings fall. Years pass. Photos fade. But the impact of a place, the values instilled, and the lives touched endure when rooted in something eternal.

Central shaped minds, hearts, and futures. But more importantly, it reminds us that nothing in this world lasts forever—except what we build in Christ.

Life Application

• As we reflect on places that once held our hearts, like Flint Central, we must also ask: What am I building today that will last beyond me?

  
  

• Are you investing in eternal things—like faith, love, forgiveness, and purpose? Are you passing on a legacy rooted in God’s word, not just family traditions?

Buildings fall. But Christ is the cornerstone that never crumbles.

Closing Prayer

Father God, thank You for the places that shaped us—schools, neighborhoods, sanctuaries of growth and friendship. Thank You for Flint Central and the generations it served, including my own family. Though the walls may fall, may the memories live on. Help me remember that true legacy is not built in brick, but in love, faith, and obedience to You. Let me invest in what matters most—Your Word, Your people, and Your Kingdom.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.