Historic Albion church, parsonage go on market for $125,000

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The “For Sale” signs are out in front of the First United Methodist Church and its parsonage on East State Street.

The church is seeking $125,000 for the historic church and the building next door, currently used by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

The United Methodist congregation left the church in late March and started having services on Easter, April 5, at Christ Church, which is owned by an Episcopal parish on Main Street.

The United Methodist building is listed by Margaret Tuerk, a licensed associate real estate broker with Hunt. She works out of the Akron office. (The sign listing her phone number is incorrect. Her number is 716-901-5985.)

The church was built in 1860 with additions to follow. The building is about 14,000 square feet. Tuerk said it has lots of potential as a “great repurpose project.”

The former parsonage next to the church is used by Community Action.

The church is included on the National Register of Historic Places. That makes it eligible for tax credits for a project. Tuerk said it’s also possible the local economic development agency could assist in securing tax breaks for a project at the church.

“It’s an incredible building,” she said today. “But it is also a challenge.”

The main building needs a new roof, including a new support system. The church has used wooden beams to help support the roof in recent years.

The church ultimately decided it didn’t have the money to fix the roof. The congregation tried to secure grants and other assistance for the project, but was unsuccessful.

The church has the two buildings listed at a low price with the hope of finding a buyer for the properties. The former parsonage next door is about 1,700 square feet.