HOLMES BEACH – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church has closed and city officials hope to purchase the building and property if financially feasible.
On Jan. 18, the church hosted a Holy Closure service as its final service. The church and its 3-acre property will be put on the market and the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is handling the sale.
According to a message shared at the Gloria Dei website, “On Jan. 1, the Synod Council assumed responsibility for all decisions related to the property, its contents and the transition process. The congregation of Gloria Dei will no longer be an active congregation. Continued worship at Gloria Dei for any additional time is not feasible.”
The message includes a statement from Tampa-based Bishop’s Assistant Rev. Ron Rose: “We were warmly invited to attend and participate in worship at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton. This congregation is dealing with similar issues affecting small congregations everywhere. They look forward to getting to know us and to exploring future possibilities. We want to maintain the close bonds and support we have as a church family. We can continue to worship together at Redeemer as we plan for a successful transition to a new congregation.”
Video of the final service is posted at the church’s Facebook page, accompanied by a single comment from Elle Orr that says, “A sad day for sure.”
City interest
When discussing the pursuit of resiliency grants and other state and federal funds with city commissioners on Jan. 14, Mayor Judy Titsworth mentioned the church closure and the future sale of the building and property at 6608 Marina Drive.
Titsworth wants to pursue the financial assistance needed to purchase the property for use as city-owned green space. The potential funding sources include a federal FEMA grant, a state appropriation or revenues from the county commission-controlled tourist development tax fund. Titsworth said Congressman Vern Buchanan already offered his assistance.
Titsworth said the city might have to put some “ skin in the game” as well and that could entail taking out a loan or dipping into the city’s reserve fund.
“Three acres? This is our one chance to get a great place like that. That’s what I think reserves are for,” she said.
Commissioner Carol Whitmore said that Sen. Jim Boyd told her that Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to reduce the state appropriations given to local governments this year.
City Director of Development Services Chad Minor said he recently spoke with Rose about the pending sale.
“I expressed our interest in having a seat at the table as they consider future plans for that property,” Minor said. “Once they get their appraisal, they will be putting it on the market. They have a responsibility to their group and they’re going to get the highest and best price they can for that property; and we’re more than welcome to throw our hat in the ring.”
Titsworth said the green space could be used for art festivals, a farmers market and other public uses.
“It’s something that could be a treasure for the people that live out here,” she said, noting the property could also be used as a temporary hurricane debris staging area if needed.
Whitmore said the School For Constructive Play is displaced from the church building and is temporarily operating at The Center of Anna Maria Island and pursuing the licensing needed to operate a preschool there.
When contacted by The Sun, The Center’s Executive Director Chris Culhane said the School For Constructive Play obtained a temporary displacement permit from the state Department of Children and Families and they are working with DCF to obtain the permits and licensing needed to keep the preschool there if needed.
Titsworth said she will work with Minor, Public Works Superintendent Sage Kamiya and the city’s lobbyist to identify the most favorable uses of the building and property in terms of pursuing federal, state or county funding.
“Things like green space, soccer fields, a public-private partnership with an art league, allowing the school back in. Something where it can still be used for the community,” Titsworth said.
Regarding the church’s architecture and unique roof structure, she said, “It’s a landmark. I’d like to rehab the building and get it back to its glory. It’s a gorgeous building.”
Minor noted the property carries public/semi-public zoning and future land use designations. Commissioner Dan Diggins asked if the property could be used for commercial purposes. Minor said that would require a comprehensive plan amendment, a future land use map amendment and a rezoning amendment.
Titsworth noted that about six years ago, the church leaders sought to rezone a portion of the property to allow the construction of residential duplexes. Those efforts failed because the commission wanted that property to retain its public/semi-public land use and zoning designations.
Bringing the informal discussion to a close, Commissioner Terry Schaefer said, “We need to be prepared when we get the nod to sit at the table. I’m also working on other sources of funding this. If we get that chance, we don’t want to be in a position to say we’re interested but we don’t know how to fund it.”
