Time running out for Glen Ellyn church to keep its sanctuary

With a Glen Ellyn church building poised to be sold on Friday, last-minute negotiations are under way to let the small congregation that has met there for the last six years stay.

But as of Tuesday, no deal had been worked out between Diamante Montessori School owners and the leaders of Christ Church.

"We are hoping that we can work something out," said Saul Ebema, Christ Church's pastor. "We are still hoping for the best."

Diamante Montessori has plans to buy the church at 625 Hillside Ave. on Friday. The purchase would give the not-for-profit organization a home of its own after renting and changing locations four times in its six years of existence.

If the sale becomes a reality, Christ Church's congregation could be forced to find a new home or cease to exist.

Christ Church doesn't own the building where its services are held. The property is owned by Believers Stewardship Services, a not-for-profit based in Dubuque, Iowa.

And even though an "angel" is willing pay $750,000 to buy the building on behalf of Christ Church, Believers Stewardship already has its pending offer from Diamante Montessori.

Therefore, Christ Church's offer cannot even be considered unless the deal with the Montessori school doesn't go through Friday.

"We love this place. We love the neighbors," Ebema said. "This building has been a home to five churches, and we don't want to see it become a school. We want to see it remain a church."

Ron Repking, board member of the Montessori school, which operates out of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, said he is hopeful neighbors will get to know and welcome the school.

"We wanted a permanent home since day one," Repking said. "I'm very concerned about (the congregation and neighbors).

"I don't want to go into a community that doesn't want me there," he added.

David Allison, president of Believers Stewardship, said Christ Church's congregation entered into a contract six years ago to buy the church building.

When a major payment was due about a year ago and the congregation was unable to pay, the property transferred back to Believers Stewardship.

When the congregation was required to pay rent and couldn't, Allison started asking for only half the payments, he said.

In September, when the congregation couldn't make those payments, Allison made a decision.

He moved to sell the property but also wanted to help the congregation. So he decided to let Christ Church stay rent-free until the building was sold.

Now the time has come.

"They tried long and hard to find financing or merge (or partner) with another church," Allison said. "They really tried very, very hard and they were unable to do so."

If all goes as planned Friday, Repking will own the property.

Even though it will take Diamante officials about six months to go through the village's permitting process -- and there's no guarantee the permits will be granted --Repking said the school is moving ahead with the building purchase.

"We have no plans for anything right now other than to close on the property," he said.

The building's exterior will remain as is. However, some interior rehabilitation work is planned because of the structure's age, Repking said.