By John H. Wright Jr., MAI, and Martin H. Aaron, MAI, SRA

The role that religion plays in the midst of this pandemic is a philosophical matter.

However, the role that religious facilities play is a decidedly practical matter particularly for church mortgage lenders.

Before the pandemic, 36% of Americans attended religious services weekly, and 69% attended at least a few times a year, according to the Pew Research Center. The coronavirus brought attendance to a halt in many states, and some religious facilities adapted by providing online or drive-by services.

Unlike online shopping and curbside pickup for retail, virtual and drive-by religious services havent become a widely accepted new normal (although many larger churches have had success with online services). Even though people are eager to attend worship services for strength and spiritual guidance during this time of uncertainty, there are some concerns that the pause will drive long-term negative attendance and giving trends and affect the use and valuation of religious facilities.

Over the years, religious facilities have expanded to provide childcare, education, elder care, recreation, and community services such as job fairs and food pantries. This, in turn, has affected the ratio of seating to total building area. With social distancing, religious facilities can seat only a fraction of their capacity. Like their public counterparts, religious schools may not fully reopen for some time. These changes could have material value implications.

Space restrictions, along with elevated risk of infection for elders and the potential for church services to become super-spreader events, prevent many people from attending religious services.

At the same time, community support services that religious facilities provide are in high demand in the midst of the pandemic. Food,daycare, and job and housing insecurity have become grim concerns for many Americans, and religious facilities can come to their aid to the extent that social distancing requirements allow. In some communities, religious facilities even serve as COVID-19 testing sites because of their large parking lots and recognizable locations.

However, religious facilities survive on tithing, donations, foundations and other sources of cash flow that have been curtailed by the economic downturn. Some religious facilities with mortgages have missed payments since the pandemic, or they are debt insecure.

Every market is different, though, with unique advantages and challenges. There has been a surge in religious facility appraisals as lenders grapple to reassess the value of buildings that arent being fully used in the intended way. While some congregations are looking to sell their facilities, lenders are trying to determine if COVID-19-induced trends constitute a short-term interruption or long-term disruption to religious facility use, and resulting in possible changes in the highest and best use of the facility. This process is critical in the accurate estimation of COVID-19s impact on the current market value of the facility.

Looking to the future, some congregations with stable finances might be considering construction plans or additions as they reconcile how to best serve their communities during the pandemic and beyond. An accurate estimate of the market value of the real estate forms the foundation for sound decision making in this unprecedented time.

John H. Wright Jr., MAI, and Martin H. Aaron, MAI, SRA, are Senior Managing Director and Managing Director, respectively, at BBG, a national due diligence commercial real estate firm. They are also authors of The Appraisal of Religious Facilities, the recognized industry standard for valuation of religious facilities, schools and nonprofits.

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COVID-19 impact: short-term interruption or long-term disruption? - Church Executive Magazine

Construction is underway on a 94-unit senior-housing project in Northland, the third such project for a community that has a high concentration of vulnerable seniors, according to data from Ohio State University's Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity.

National Church Residences, based in Upper Arlington, is building the $16 million Northland Gate at 5771 Maple Canyon Drive.

Columbus City Council member Emmanuel V. Remy, who spent six years as president of Northland Community Council, said he remembers the project in its infancy.

"We know the senior population will grow exponentially by 2030," he said. "We also know those residents in Northland and throughout the city would like to age in place. Having the ability to stay in their neighborhood in affordable housing means everything to the seniors out there."

Currently, Franklin County has the second-highest number of people ages 65 and older in the state, according to the 2014 Kirwan Institute study, which said this senior population is projected to grow by more than 53% by 2030, a rate five times more than the anticipated overall population growth of Franklin County.

Remy and others took part in a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 25 for the 3-story, 85,000-square-foot building, which will offer one- and two-bedroom residences.

Rents will range from $400 to $1,000, depending on income levels. The development will provide free Wi-Fi, a fitness center and outdoor walking paths.

Construction will take a little more than a year, said Amy Rosenthal, vice president of affordable development for National Church Residences.

"The community members know best, and they're coming to us saying they have a need," she said. "The data were there, too. Northland was lacking affordable senior housing. It had never received a low-income housing-tax-credit award for seniors. It felt like the time was right."

National Church Residences received $1.2 million in tax credits in 2019 from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, which essentially gave the company the approval to proceed with the project.

The company already has a strong presence in the community: It manages Restoration Plaza I, II and III and owns Northland Community Center for Senior Health North and other properties in the neighborhood, Rosenthal said.

In addition to Northland Gate, National Church Residences is building two other senior-housing developments that should be completed in the next two years, according to information from the company.

Salem Village at Dublin-Granville and Karl roads will have 76 one-bedroom apartments, and Bretton Woods at 4836 Cleveland Ave. will have 62 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

National Church Residences and its financial partners have invested nearly $50 million in the Northland area, according to the company.

"The numbers of our aging population are astounding, so it's important we have partners like National Church Residences," Remy said.

editorial@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekNews

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National Church Residences breaks ground for Northland senior-housing project - ThisWeek Community News

Eagle Rock news through a Zoom lens | Artwork by Andrew Jacobs, ERNC Communications Director

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

By Sylvia Denlinger

What do Katy Perry, the Catholic Church, and Eagle Rock have in common? If you had been attending ERNC meetings, you would know!

What is the ERNC?

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) is part of the Neighborhood Council system created in 1999 when voters in L.A. approved a new city charter.

The Neighborhood Council system gives neighborhoods a voice in local government. It makes sure that neighborhoods hear in advance about city decisions so that people have time to discuss the decisions and respond.

The Charter also allows neighborhoods to be a part of city budget planning. It gives money to the Neighborhood Councils $32,000 in 2020 to spend on local projects and organizations.

Every two years, Eagle Rock can elect 19 people to the Board of the Neighborhood Council. (Elections are coming up in 2021, so watch this space!)

Each Board member receives training in ethics, funding and communication as it relates to the Neighborhood Council. Members are bound by ethical and organizational laws, primarily the Brown Act and Roberts Rules of Order.

In addition, the ERNC creates its own governing bylaws. These are reviewed every two years.

How does the ERNC help me?

The ERNC is a place to start if you have a question, an idea, a project, a problem, based in your community.

When and where does the ERNC meet?

The Board of the ERNC meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. to discuss issues that affect Eagle Rock and vote on how to spend their budget.

In normal times, the monthly meeting takes place at the Eagle Rock City Hall. But now, due to COVID-19, the ERNC is meeting online via Zoom. You can join us for all or part of a meeting from the comfort of your home.

A few days before the meeting, a link to a Zoom conference appears on the ERNC website. Click on the link (it will install Zoom if you dont have it already) and prepare to join in the discussion!

Heres the link to our website to find out more: http://www.wordpress.eaglerockcouncil.org/

And the answer to our riddle? What Katy Perry, the Catholic Church and Eagle Rock have in common is the Bekins Estate!

Bekins Estate is a mansion in Eagle Rock that the Church wanted to buy and remodel as part of a deal that also involved selling a convent to Katy Perry.

In the end, Katy bought the convent but the Church backed out of buying Bekins. Chris Hardwick now owns the property, with no remodel.

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What do Katy Perry, the Catholic Church, and Eagle Rock have in common? If you had been attending ERNC meetings, you would know! - Boulevard Sentinel

From David Clegg

Tyrrell County Manager

Tyrrell County Food Bank project received a tremendous boost when Tyrrell County received a $100,000 grant from the Cannon Foundation. The grant will be paired with an $180,000 Community Development Block Grant to construct a food bank facility for the county. It is estimated that 22% of the countys population is food insecure.

The facility will be located on the site of the recently demolish Flair Building next door to Tyrrell Hall on U.S. Highway 64 East. The Cannon Foundation grant award will allow Tyrrell County to place for bid a 1660 square foot facility. The food bank will be an affiliate of the distribution system of the Food Bank of the Albemarle. Architects for the facility are Cahoon and Kasten of Nags Head.

It is the intention of the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners to create a non-profit corporation to operate the food bank with management assistance from the county commissioners, Tyrrell County DSS, Tyrrell Senior Adult Center and community based religious and civic organization. The building and equipment will remain property of Tyrrell County.

This new facility will be a great tribute to the faithful volunteers of the Church Road Emergency Food Pantry, said Tommy Everett, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

County Manager David Clegg commented, This food bank building will allow us to take full advantage of opportunities to assist our food insecure citizens and leverage many government and private resources.

The Cannon Foundation was formed in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, chairman and president of the Cannon Mills Company. The foundation, located in Concord, N.C., continues his philanthropic legacy by funding primarily capital and infrastructure projects for organizations across the state of North Carolina. TO date, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $305 million.

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Tyrrell County Awarded Cannon Foundation Grant for Food Bank Construction - Washington Daily News - thewashingtondailynews.com

Tony Judnich|Northwest Florida Daily News

CRESTVIEW The massive Patriot Ridge subdivision slated to stand next to the southeast part of Crestview over the next five years will have an alternate access road, as well as many more single-family homes than initially planned.

The additional houses will mean even more traffic on area roads, an impact the subdivision developer and local officials are working to address.

An amended development agreement that includes the alternate access road and 106 additional houses for Patriot Ridge received the Okaloosa County Commissions unanimous approval Tuesday.

More: More new housing is coming, but not much is available to low-income folks

The original county-approved agreement from last fall allowed Patriot Ridge LLC, led by developer Greg Matovina of Jacksonville, to develop up to 570 single-family homes on almost 417 acres.

The project site is east of State Road 85 and between Shoal River Drive and Airmans Memorial Road, on property that once contained the Adara Golf Course.

The initial agreement showed the main access to the future subdivision would be via Shoal River Drive east of Live Oak Church Road. Based on a request from commissioners, as well as residents who live adjacent to the future subdivision, the developer more recently was able to acquire about 60 acres directly east of the Patriot Ridge boundary for a secondary access.

The additional access road will connect to Airmans Memorial Road just east of Chanan Drive. Another approved update to the agreement limits access to Skyline Circle through the first phase of the development for emergency vehicles only.

The overall amended agreement now allowsfor construction of a total of 676 houses, which will be built in 16 phases over five years. The price range of the subdivisions interior-lot homes reportedly could be about $200,000 to $400,000.

The project changes received the county Planning Commissions unanimous support in August. Before that meeting, the county provided residents who live around the project site notice of the proposed agreement amendment.

The two members of the public who commented on the then-proposed updated project at the planning boards meeting both spoke in favor of it, county Growth Management Director Elliot Kampert told the County Commission Tuesday.

District 1 County Commissioner Graham Fountain, whose district includes the Patriot Ridge development area and a part of Crestview, and District 3 County Commissioner Nathan Boyles, whose district also includes a part of Crestview, both praised the developer on Tuesday for being able to add the additional access road.

In response to questions from the Daily News, Boyles on Thursday said Patriot Ridge would help provide housing for the military-associated workforce and other people.

Do we have some traffic challenges there (along S.R. 85 by the south part of Crestview)? Yes, Boyles said. But will this project help fill some niches in our housing market? I think so.

More: DOT unveils possible SR 85 upgrades in Crestview

Boyles chairs the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization, which is helping to plan the eventual widening of a 12-mile-long stretch of S.R. 85.

According to TPO documents, the four-lane S.R. 85 between its connection with State Road 123 north of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and its segment just north of Interstate 10 in Crestview could be widened to six lanes sometime between 2031 and 2040.

The Florida Department of Transportation is the lead agency on the planned, state-funded widening project, construction of which might cost about $50 million.

For fiscal year 2022, the agency has $1.65 million funded for the projects initial planning and engineering tasks.

That is what will kick that process off, said Boyles, who added that the TPO is trying to get the widening work timeframe accelerated.

For its part, Patriot Ridge LLC will widen Live Oak Church Road to four lanes from S.R. 85 to Shoal River Drive, help the county upgrade John King Road, and make other road improvements to help offset traffic impacts stemming from its future subdivision.

See more here:
Okaoosa County approves land, road and housing additions for planned subdivision - The Northwest Florida Daily News

The patchwork of surface parking lots that once blighted DowntownToronto's urban fabric are now few and far between. Rising land values and a planning policies have spelled the demise of surface parking in the city centre, and most of the remaining lots are facing redevelopment in the near future. This week's Throwback Thursday looks back just over two years, comparing an aerial view of a former surface parking lot at Church and The Esplanade with a recent view of its ongoing redevelopment. Back in June, 2018,the parking lot at the intersection's southwest corner was gearing up for the arrival of heavy machinery to begin construction at 75 on The Esplanade. The east-facing view is from the nearby 25 The Esplanade apartment building which overlooksthe site.

Looking east over site of 75 on The Esplanade, 2018, image by Forum contributor mburrrrr

Just over two years later, thenew 29-storey condominium tower, designed by architectsAlliance forHarhay DevelopmentsandCarttera Private Equities, is rising fast towards an eventual height of approximately 100 metres as cladding installation begins on lower levels. Other changes have also happened in the background, with the upper edge of the photo showing slivers of the Sherbourne and Front streetsites of St Lawrence Condos at 158 Front and Time and Space Condos.

Looking east over site of 75 on The Esplanade, 2020, image by Forum contributor mburrrrr

A GIF helps to visualize the last couple years of change.

Looking east over site of 75 on The Esplanade, 2018-2020, images by Forum contributor mburrrrr

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto. In the meantime, you can submit your own Throwback Thursday comparisons in our dedicatedForum threadfor your chance to be featured in next week's edition.

* * *

UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for afree trial of our New Development Insiderhere.

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Throwback Thursday: Parking Lot to High-Rise at Church and The Esplanade - Urban Toronto

The people close to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero in New York tend to think of the project as a divinely-influenced miracle.

After several years of delay marked by financial difficulties, bureaucracy and even a COVID-19 pandemic, construction has restarted this week. Funds are in place to open and consecrate the church by the 20th anniversary of 9/11Sept. 11, 2021.

We have the people, the plan, the organization and the money, said Michael Psaros, vice chairman of the Friends of St. Nicholas, an independent nonprofit that is overseeing the churchs fundraising and construction.

Funds have been collected to build the church. Now fundraising is underway to set up a $20 million endowment fund to support church operations.

This second effort to complete the Church presents our Orthodox and Hellenic-American community with a second and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to this historic event in our community, Psaros said. Friends hopes each and every Greek-American can donate/participate in any way they can. Every donor will be recognized.

Thanks for reading Hellenic News of America

Whats kept the project on the straight and narrow through its setbacks is the idea that the new St. Nicholas Church can be a light to the world amongst the darkness, and a sacred place to honor the 3,000 martyrs who lost their lives when the World Trade Center Towers were attacked.

Project moving forward

Work on the $85 million church project, which stopped in 2017, restarted Aug. 3. A crane has arrived on site for the installation of a skylight. Waterproofing work is also underway.

Work is being handled by the original contractor, Skanska USA, under a set price contract.

Skanska has already completed billions of dollars in construction work at Ground Zero, according to a July 2020 newsletter from the Friends of St. Nicholas.

The coronavirus pandemic could alter what would normally be an 18-month construction schedule, but the church can still open by the anniversary date, even if every detail isnt in place, said Richard Browne, CEO of the St. Nicholas construction work, during a July 1 interview for the ancientfaith.com podcast.

Browne described the new building as an intricate jewel box in the middle of the World Trade Center complex.

He added, Of all the things Ive done in my career, helping you finish this church will be what my family and my children will be most proud of me for.

The design is by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. For more information, visit http://www.stnicholaswtc.orgPhoto source: GOARCH

Fundraising

When work stopped on the church, it was estimated another $45 million was needed to finish the job and keep a $3 million contingency reserve.

Friends of St. Nicholas started fundraising Jan. 2, 2020 and within 90 days were able to raise the additional funds needed in cash and pledges, Psaros said.

As of July 29, they have received $27 million and $18 million in pledges.

A key player in making the new church and shrine a reality is Father Alex Karloutsos. He is Vicar General and Director of Public Affairs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Hes also a special assistant to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.

Father Alex has been involved in efforts to get the church rebuilt since the original 9/11 attack on St. Nicholas.

One of the things that the dark forces were trying to do on Sept. 11, 2001, is create an element of despair, to take away hope, to envision the darkness. St. Nicholas is the light on the hill at Ground Zero, he said.

Immediate support for the church/shrine project came from the Greek-American community, he said, but its also had the support of non-Greek donors around the world, from such diverse places as Bari, Italy, where the relics of St. Nicholas were originally presented; Russia, Qatar and Israel, and from sources ranging from the American Jewish Committee to electrical and plumbing unions.

The new fundraising effort for the endowment fund will pay for ongoing operations like utilities, security and maintenance at the church.

The Friends of St. Nicholas are off to a good start. A $600,000 gift has been given by Steve and Frosene Zeis to establish the endowment.

Everyone alive today, whether they are five years old or 105 has an opportunity to contribute to the National Shrine, to literally be a part of history because this is a one moment in time event, Psaros said.

We encourage all of your readers, anyone that supports the newspaper, to please contribute to St. Nicholas and the funds will end up in the endowment.

Donations can be made online at http://www.stnicholaswtc.org.

Friends of St. Nicholas

Friends of St. Nicholas was created after the church project, initially under the guidance of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, was suspended for two years due to lack of funds.

The Archdiocese fell into default with Skanska USA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, unable to fulfill its contract to rebuild the church.

The Archdiocese was in danger of losing the property to New York, since activity had stopped on the new church.

The Port Authority wanted to build a vehicle security center beneath the original location of the church at 155 Cedar Street. At the same time, there was opposition from the Authority to rebuild the church near the Ground Zero memorial.

Several things happened to save the church and turn it into a National Shrine.

Chief among them was the appointment of a new Archbishop for the Archdiocese in 2019.

His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros, whose name means bearer of hope supported the rebuilding project and took steps to make sure it was financially solvent and properly managed.

Also throwing in his support on rebuilding was New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He supported relocating the church to Liberty Park, 130 Liberty Street, close to the Ground Zero memorial, and turning it into a National Shrine that would expand its role beyond a Greek Orthodox Church.

After a Jan. 2, 2020 meeting between Gov. Cuomo and Archbishop Elpidophoros, it was decided construction would start again on the new church, with conditions.

Because of the previous funding difficulties, Cuomo wanted to make sure an independent body oversaw finances and construction and so Friends of St. Nicholas was created.

The Archdiocese and the St. Nicholas Parish remain ex-officio members of Friends of St. Nicholas, but the archbishop appointed 13 laypeople with a variety of skill sets to lead the church rebuilding to its conclusion.

Daniel Mehiel was named chairman. He serves as chairman of U.S. Corrugated Inc. and was appointed by Gov. Cuomo as CEO of the Battery Park City Authority that operates the property where the World Trade Center was constructed 40 years ago.

Michael Psaros, is vice-chairman. He is a co-founder of KPS Capital Partners and a former treasurer with the Archdiocese.

Richard Browne was named CEO of the St. Nicholas construction project and is taking no fee for the work. He is a managing partner of the Sterling Project Development Group, known for sports-related construction projects, including construction of Citi Fields, where the New York Mets play.

Father Alex serves as an advisor.

The election of Gov. Cuomo as governor was a seminal moment for the entire process, Mehiel said.

With Andrews guidance and, frankly his very specific dedicated control of the process, it got us to the point that we were able to sign a deal with the Port Authority that allowed the construction process to commence, Mehiel said.

Father Alex said the church project received support from Gov. Cuomo and the previous Republican governor, George Pataki, but that Cuomo had a spiritual connection to the project as well.

Gov. Cuomo happens to share his birthday, Dec. 6, with St. Nicholas Feast Day.

He believes that the element and hope of a church destroyed at Ground Zero tells a great story of New York, that in the midst of this despair, theres hope. In the midst of darkness there is light, Father Alex said.

Archbishop Elpidophoros as well as members of the Friends of St. Nicholas address the press at the construction site of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. Photo credit: Aphrodite Kotrotsios/Hellenic News of America

Not just another church

One of the problems with fundraising for the church at the grassroots level the first time around was the failure to let the Faithful across the country appreciate the historic symbolism of the National Shrine, Psaros said in another Greek publication.

They werent inspired to participate in its triumph and saw St. Nicholas as just another New York City church, not something that belongs to the Faithful nationwide, he said.

He described the completed National Shrine as the most visible symbol of Holy Orthodoxy, Hellenism, and the Hellenism ideal in America.

By donating, Psaros hopes the Faithful in all 50 states will feel the responsibility and joy of possessing the only religious structure, the only Christian church of any denomination, at Ground Zero.

Saint Nicholas prior to 9/11. Photo source: GOARCH

A Greek Orthodox Church as a National Shrine

For Greek-Americans the hope is that the St. Nicholas National Shrine will be a Parthenon of Orthodoxy in the United States, a symbol of the resurgence of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Psaros quotes a friend, Dimitri Papacostas who said, Somehow all of the communitys aspirations, pride and redemption are enshrined in this magnificent edifice that is being built.

But it will be much more than a Greek Orthodox Church.

On a site with no grave markers to mark the martyred dead, the church and its Justinian Cross will reflect the sacred ground on which it stands, sacred ground where the presence of God can be found.

And it will offer comfort and meditation to anyone visiting worldwide, regardless of religion or background. A non-denominational bereavement center will be located on the second floor of the Shrine.

The St. Nicholas National Shrine and Church will become an open and inclusive witness of what is best in all human aspirations for the Divine, reads a message from Archbishop Elpidophoros printed in the July 2020 newsletter of the Friends of St. Nicholas.

Hagia Sophia

St. Nicholas will stand as a counterbalance to the actions of the Turks converting Hagia Sophia Church in Constantinople into a Mosque.

Many of St. Nicholas features are based on the Hagia Sophia Church, an intentional design by the Shrines architect, Santiago Calatrava.

He took the architecture and the art from Hagia Sophia and encapsulated it at the heart of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero, said Father Alex.

No matter what happens to Hagia Sophia, the Great Church will always be ours. Let us make Saint Nicholas a witness to that, states the message from Archbishop Elpidophoros.

For more information about the St. Nicholas project and to donate, visit Stnicholaswtc.org.

Contributions can also be mailed to:

FRIENDS OF ST. NICHOLAS

c/o Andrew Veniopoulos

8 East 79th Street

New York, NY 10075

Please make checks payable to:

Friends of St. Nicholas.

See original here:
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine Now on Solid Ground as Construction Restarts - Hellenic News of America

REQUEST FOR SUBCONTRACTOR / VENDOR PROPOSALS Competitive proposals are requested from interested subcontractors and vendors for the Westphalia Church of the Visitation project. This project is the ground up re-build of the Church of the Visitation that was lost to fire in July 2019. Subcontractor and vendor proposals will be received in the K4 Construction, LLC offices until 12:00 pm on August 27, 2020. Proposals can be emailed to keith@k4construction.net, faxed to 254-662-9274, delivered to 1768 Greig Drive, Robinson, Texas 76706, or mailed to the same address. Contact K4 Construction to acquire bid documents electronically, or a hard copy can be viewed at the K4 office. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at the project site (144 County Road 3000, Lott, Texas 76656) on August 20th @ 10:00 am. K4 Construction has a policy of prohibiting discrimination against Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) & Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and encourages proposals from qualified HUB and DBE subcontractors and vendors. K4 Construction reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive any irregularity in the proposals, and to accept only those proposals which (in the opinion of K4 Construction) provide the best value to the Owner. Contact Keith Helpert at 254-662-9311 or keith@k4construction.net for questions or more information.

Continue reading here:
Request for Subcontractor/Vendor Proposals - Westphalia Church of the Vistation project - Waco Tribune-Herald

After years of struggling to reinvigorate itself and attract new parishioners, Christus Victor Lutheran Church quietly closed its doors a few months ago. The once beautiful and iconic building with its sharp zenith rising up toward the heavens was razed to a pile of wood and rubble on Aug. 5

The property at 25535 Ford Road was sold to a private investor.

This is the second site for the church shortly after it was built in the 1960s. The photograph was undated.

In January of 2019 a transitional pastor was brought in with hopes that someone new in the pulpit would enliven the congregation. The Rev. Dana Runestad was trying to bring people back to Christus Victor by creating new programs. One of Runestads first efforts was a drive-through Ash Wednesday service. Ash Wednesday is the start of a 40-day celebration leading up to Easter.

But it appeared that nothing short of a miracle could help resurrect Christus Victor. Like several area businesses, the life of Christus Victor may have been cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Larry Domski, Director of the Building and Engineering Department for Dearborn Heights said that the property is zoned in two parcels. The front half facing Ford Road is zoned commercial whereas the back half, containing most of the former churchs parking lot, is zoned residential.

Domski said that he has not seen any plans for what is to be built on the land.

The Ford Road location is the second home for the churchs congregation. Founded originally as the Ford Road Lutheran Church, the first location was at the corner of Ford Road and Silvery Lane. Under the guidance of Rev. V.J. Luetzow, construction on the first church started in January 1947.

Machinery tears down the last of the former Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Dearborn Heights.

Ground was broken in 1963 for the new sanctuary and it was finally occupied on Sept. 20, 1964, after nine years of planning and one year of construction.

The new structure was able to accommodate up to 430 people and cost $350,000 ($2.94 million today) to build.

With a new church also came a new name. Ford Road Lutheran Church was rechristened as Christus Victor Lutheran Church.

Christus Victor is a Latin phrase which expresses the triumphant aspect of Christ's atonement.

By Aug. 8, only a pile of rubble remained where the church once stood.

The Churchs phone was disconnected, and the website has been shut down. Questions sent to the Facebook page went unanswered.

Continue reading here:
Private investor razes historic Dearborn Heights church | News - Dearborn Press and Guide

Image of Coel Junior Compton

Coel 'Junior' Compton

Coel Junior Compton, 84, of the Kirksey community in Murray, Kentucky, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at his home.

He was born Jan. 19, 1936, in Golden Pond, Kentucky, to Coel Compton Sr. and Irene Mitcheson Compton.

He was a retired farmer and was in the construction business. He was a member of Kirksey Baptist Church and the Adult 1 Sunday school class.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Cain Compton, who died Oct. 10, 2017; one granddaughter, Tabetha Shelton, who died in 1991; and one brother, Clayton Compton, who died in 1960.

Mr. Compton is survived by three daughters, Cindy Cossey and husband Danny of Murray, Cillia Alexander and husband David of Farmington and Ginger Overbey and husband Kenny of Murray; two sisters, Linda Bynum and husband Larry of Hopkinsville and Carolyn Thorn and husband Raymond of Benton; three grandchildren, Erica Livingston and husband Rob of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Ben Cossey and wife Nikki of Murray and Trent Cossey and wife Traci of Murray; and seven great- grandchildren, Max and Miles Cossey, Henry, Coelton and Lillia Livingston, and Braxton and Chance Cossey; and a special friend, Zennette Newsome of Farmington.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, at Kirksey Baptist Church with Charles Miles officiating. Burial will follow in Kirksey Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Kirksey Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 39, Kirksey, KY 42054.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com.

The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Denise Burnett

Denise Burnett, 60, of Murray, Kentucky, formerly of Paducah, Kentucky, died at 3:50 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, at her residence.

She was born April 2. 1960, in Paducah, to Shirley Sue Bell Shoukletovich and James Howard Kilgore. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, and a sister, Johnna Hendrix.

Mr. Burnett is survived her son, Dustin Burnett of Murray; her daughter, Kayla Fires of Benton; her mother, Shirley Shoukletovich of Eddyville; a sister, Kennae Fenton of Eddyville; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.yorkfuneralhome.com.

Blalock-Coleman & York Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Image of Robert Sammy Ingram

Robert 'Sammy' Ingram

Robert "Sammy" Ingram, 41, of Columbia, Tennessee, formerly of Murray, Kentucky, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020.

He was born Oct. 8, 1978, in Murray to Robert and Sharon Bazzell Ingram.

He was an avid fisherman and loved to hunt. He was a member of Coldwater Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Thomas Ingram.

Mr. Ingram is survived by his mother, Sharon Ingram of Murray; a son, Lucas Ingram of Columbia; three sisters, Debbie Todd (Kerry) of Coldwater, Stacy Therrien (David) of Almo and Angela Ingram of Murray; and his partner, Carrie Opalewski of Columbia.

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, at West Fork Baptist Church with Phillip Bazzell officiating. Pallbearers include David Therrien, Kerry Todd, Jonathan Therrien, Dustin Irvan and Mitch Nesbitt.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.imesfh.com.

The Heritage Chapel of Imes Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Image of Lanita Sue Gallimore Malcolm Lee

Lanita Sue Gallimore Malcolm Lee

Lanita Sue Gallimore Malcolm Lee, 75, of Hazel, Kentucky, died at 9:05 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, at her residence.

She was born March 23, 1945, in Puryear, Tennessee to Rexford and Mayzelle Wright Gallimore.

She was a member of Hazel Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Verlyn Malcolm, and a brother, Jimmy Gallimore.

Mrs. Lee is survived by her husband, John Tom Lee; her daughters, Lori Savage of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Terri Day (Dreux) of Adolphus; stepdaughters, Lorrie Stults of Melber and Jennifer Scott of Murray; a brother, Gerald Gallimore (Sandra) of Murray; a sister-in-law, Gail Gallimore; 11grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, at Blalock-Coleman & York Funeral Home with Jordan Roach officiating.Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, Murray-Calloway County Hospital Hospice, 803 Poplar St., Murray, KY42071.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.yorkfuneralhome.com.

Blalock-Coleman & York Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Image of Linda Weiss

Linda Weiss

Linda Weiss, 71, of Murray, Kentucky, died at 5:50 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital.

She was born Nov. 26, 1948, in Newport, Rhode Island, to Timmie Chatelain and Mary Frances Kimball Chatelain, who preceded her in death.

She was a homemaker and of Catholic faith.

Mrs. Weiss is survived by her husband, Robert Weiss; a daughter, Deanna Robinson and husband Brad of Murray; her sons, Joe Seavers and wife Nikki of Benton, Shane Seavers of Murray and Tony Seavers of Benton; a stepson, Erich Weiss of California; a stepdaughter, Dawn Weiss of California; her sisters, Terry Kimbrough of Granite Falls, Washington, and Cara Lee Mowery of Fayetteville, North Carolina; brothers, Timmie T. Chatelain of Vietnam and Robert Chatelain of Aurora; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral service was at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at Blalock-Coleman & York Funeral Home with April Arnold officiating.Visitation was after 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.yorkfuneralhome.com.

Blalock-Coleman & York Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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Obituaries Aug. 12, 2020 | Obituaries - Murray Ledger and Times