Daily Reporter staff writer
GREENFIELD — No one listed the former First Church of God building for sale, but that hasn’t kept it from drawing interest.
The site at Broadway and Seventh streets was home to the Hancock County Public Library, formerly Greenfield Public Library, before the library moved into a new building at 900 W. McKenzie Road 10 years ago.
The library-turned-church at 700 N. Broadway St. has drawn buyers because it’s in a good location with available parking and potential for expansion, said the Rev. Chris Braschler, who served as pastor of First Church of God. He became an associate pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship when First Church left the Broadway site in September and joined with the Fortville congregation.
Braschler said the church is negotiating with a potential buyer, and with those negotiations under way, did not name the prospective buyer.
Meanwhile, owners of other former church buildings — some within a few blocks of 700 N. Broadway — hope to generate interest in their properties.
The former Highest Praise Worship Center building at 211 W. Park Ave. has a real estate sign in the front yard, but it’s marked for lease. Ira Scott, who was pastor at Highest Praise, said the church merged with Greenfield Church of God in September 2012; he is now pastor there. Scott said Highest Praise sold the Park Avenue building in August to a private couple.
Realife Church bought 119 N. Broadway from River of Life Outreach Center in April 2014 to use the site, just down the street from Greenfield-Central High School, as an annex for events. But in recent months, Realife has put the building on the market. Realife pastor Adam Detamore said the church has needs, including more parking, at its main location at 971 W. U.S. 40; selling the annex site “would free up some cash,” he said in an email.
