St. Joseph Church in Elgin backs out of land deal

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elgin has put on hold plans to buy city property to build a $3 million church because it has yet to meet its fundraising goal.

The new church would be adjacent to the one at 272 Division St. It would hold 1,200 people compared to 300 in the current church, which would be preserved.

Father Jesus Dominguez didn't return a call for comment.

He shared some information in a church bulletin in late July, saying that in the last two years the church has raised $616,956. The requirement from the Diocese of Rockford to begin construction is $2.25 million, or 75 percent of the cost of the project.

The new church would be on about one acre, including green space and two parking lots at 115-121 Center St. that are owned by the city.

St. Joseph recently terminated a contract to purchase the parking lots from the city after getting two extensions, and will concentrate its efforts on raising funds, Dominguez said in the bulletin.

"The purchase of the two parking lots in the future remains a possibility, but only if we are able to raise sufficient funds for the building project and the lots are available for sale when we are able to purchase them," he said.

Mayor David Kaptain said he doesn't believe there are any plans to advertise that the parking lots are for sale.

Before the church expressed interest, "We had no plans for the property," Kaptain said, "and there are no plans for it right now."