The church building at 625 Allen Street is for sale, with a list price of $1.2 million. The building is currently home to Unity Fellowship and formerly housed the Zion United Church of Christ.
The property was listed on the market earlier this week. According to the description, the main chapel was built in 1900. In 1924, a gymnasium, additional classrooms, and bathrooms were added. In 1958, 13 private office spaces, a commercial size kitchen, a basketball court, and five bathrooms were added. The facility contains nearly 17,000 square feet and sits on 1.13 acres at the corner of Allen and 7th Streets.
Daniel Gilliam-Veach, head of Unity Fellowship, said the building is for sale simply because their expenses outweigh the money brought in.
“We have a lot happening in our building, but … we’re spending more than we’re bringing in,” he said.
Gilliam-Veach said while Unity rents some space to the Burmese Baptist Church, the church also hosts many events at the building — including a soup kitchen serving weekly meals, Pride events, and other programs — that don’t bring in revenue.
“We have over 400 people that come into the building at all those different things that are happening, but it does not equate to money,” he said. “… To be the little church that we are, we do a lot and we’re proud of that. We just hate the thought of having to sell the building,” Gilliam-Veach said.
Gilliam-Veach said they could become a “church without walls” in the future, and predicted that many of their programs and events would have to cease.
However, he said that if they discontinue in-person services, they are prepared to move back to a digital option as was used during the pandemic.
The church still plans to operate out of the building until the property is sold.
