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Methodist church can't giveaway "free" house
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There's an old saying, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," but in this case it might be "don't look a gift house in the moving." That seems to be the hang up for the house the Clay Center United Methodist Church wants to give away.
"Since we built the family life center, we've needed more parking, especially for larger groups," said Rev. Glen Tombaugh, local UMC pastor.
Tombaugh said the church bought the 2,000 sq. feet Victorian-style house at an auction in October of last year. The house at 425 Clarke was built in 1920.
It has four bedrooms on the second floor and has one larger room on the first floor which could be made into a good-sized bedroom. It has a number of desirable features including beautiful oak woodwork and an oak staircase.
There is a full front porch, several large rooms, some leaded glass and a sort of sun room on the second floor.
The house had been empty for some time before the church bought it and initially the church hoped it could find someone who would be willing to move the house to another location, instead of razing it.
That seemed like a waste. Yet, the house is proving difficult to give away. And salvage businesses have expressed an interest in items of antique value.
Several potential homeowners have seemed very interested in the house. One woman wanted to move it east of Palmer. But each time the interest vanished. Why?
The rub it seems is the cost of moving a house that tall, two stories and an attic. A Kansas house mover told the Dispatch houses of this size typically cost $15,000 to $20,000 to move five miles, mostly for the lifting and resetting.
The church would certainly prefer if someone wanted it, for them to move it rather than having it razed, Tombaugh said.
The church plans to buy the house next door as well, but there is no timeline for that yet.
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©Clay Center Dispatch 2010
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