Liverpool\u2019s Zion United Church is back on the market.<\/p>\n
A deal that had been in place to sell to Stephanie Sereda fell through when closing conditions couldn\u2019t be met.<\/p>\n
Chair of the church\u2019s closure working group Ray Baker explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was on the very last possible day, the last few hours and they had to withdraw their offer in that their financial conditions failed them,\u201d said Baker. \u201cUp until then they\u2019d indicated that that wasn\u2019t a problem but apparently it turned out to be, so that was unfortunate.\"<\/p>\n
Sereda says she and her husband did everything they could to make it work.<\/p>\n
But after doing due diligence they discovered renovations and operational costs for the church greatly exceeded initial projections.<\/p>\n
Baker says they\u2019ve already had a couple of offers since the for sale sign was placed on the lawn but haven\u2019t yet sealed a deal.<\/p>\n
The congregation were excited about Sereda\u2019s plans to convert the church into a cultural centre and year-round maker\u2019s market.<\/p>\n
Baker says they would love to find another buyer who would put the building to public use.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the community came up with a plan where it was going to become some type of a community centre, a library or something, we\u2019d probably be interested in doing a deal to keep the old church as a viable option within the community. But that hasn\u2019t happened yet but we\u2019ve got our fingers crossed,\u201d said Baker.<\/p>\n
One of the obstacles to selling was the cemetery located behind Zion United Church.<\/p>\n
But Baker says a society has been established that will use the perpetual care fund and ongoing maintenance fees to keep up not just the cemetery adjacent to the church but two other cemeteries in Liverpool for which the United Church is responsible.<\/p>\n
Baker says the church is in a good location, has a great working kitchen and is structurally sound thanks to the recently installed roof.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s optimistic a new buyer will emerge soon and the Zion United Church will continue to serve the people of Liverpool.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have hope that over the coming months, if not weeks we get another offer that meets that end.\u201d<\/p>\n