Pastor wants to acquire former church
A pastor seeking a sanctuary for his congregation and a place from which to reach out to the community Thursday asked Washington County commissioners for aid in acquiring a vacant church building.
However, officials said help would have to come not only from the county but also the city of Washington and, potentially, the law firm that collects delinquent real estate taxes on behalf of the city and Washington School District.
Pastor Joseph Wheeler, who took a day off work to attend the public comment session, wants to purchase the former Apostolic Faith Chapel, 1395 Allison Ave., for his use by his flock, Pathway to Christ Church.
“God has given me a vision,” Wheeler said Thursday as he addressed the board, and asked if the commissioners could help him and his congregation fulfill the vision.
“Maybe you cannot gift property to people,” Wheeler conjectured, adding that his congregation would also be interested in leasing property.
He said the property is to be offered at a delinquent tax sale next month.
A check with Washington County Tax Claim Bureau ascertained county taxes owed on the property have not been paid, but the earliest the county would sell the land for back taxes is next September.
Portnoff Law Associates Ltd. of Norristown, Montgomery County, whose website boasts, “Our law firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars in delinquent obligations in just the past decade alone,” represents the city and Washington School District.
Portnoff’s website calendar does not reveal any upcoming sales of Washington County properties, but an Internet search revealed the 1,430-square-foot building, constructed in 1920, was advertised for a Dec. 6, 2013, sheriff’s sale because of a mortgage foreclosure dating back to 2010.
The pastor cited drug overdoses and drug raids in the neighborhood he said show the need for a religious refuge and influence. “God can close a door no man can open, and God can open doors that no man can close,” Wheeler said after the meeting. “If it’s the Lord’s will, we’ll acquire it.”
Mayor Brenda Davis said Wheeler had not contacted her and she wasn’t familiar with 1395 Allison Ave., but would contact Portnoff Law to check on its status.
“The county is not in the habit of exonerating taxes,” Davis said. “If the county would exonerate the back taxes, the city would bring it up for discussion before mayor and council.” The school district could also consider the matter.
In June 2013, Wheeler asked city council to delay demolition of a West End church
He appealed to the city not to raze a church at 211 Grove Ave., saying God has shown him a vision for the area and that building in particular.
That vision, he told council, includes creating a community ministry and providing a safe place for youth in the area.
A month earlier, Washington County Judge John DiSalle determined the Unitary Mission of America building was unoccupied for at least 15 years and presented a serious risk to the health and safety of residents.
Davis said the vandalized and dilapidated building was a nuisance, and, because it was not secured, youngsters used it as a hangout.
Council voted in 2013 to release the property to Washington County Redevelopment Authority for demolition, which took place this summer.
The year-long delay occurred, Davis said, because the mission building was owned by an organization in eastern Pennsylvania and notice of tearing down the structure had to be advertised there.
Bradley Boni, Washington County chief assessor, responded via email for information on the taxation of the Apostolic Faith Chapel.
“As a general rule, churches are exempted from taxation,” Boni wrote. “Churches that have ceased to be places of regularly stated religious worship are not exempt. Take, for example, the property located at 1395 Allison Ave. It was, at one time, an organized place of worship where parishioners gathered to practice religion. According to our notations, effective tax year 2001, the building was classified as taxable because it was being utilized for storage purposes.”
According to Boni, if Wheeler were to acquire the former chapel property and wanted to have it classified as tax exempt, he would need to appeal to the county board of assessment appeals and prove his case.