The governing body of Immanuel Lutheran Church on Sunday voted to rescind an earlier decision to raze the 1932-vintage sanctuary at 1448 Cortlandt. The building, last used for church functions three decades ago, is a designated city historic site and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Ken Bakenhus, president of the church's governing board, said congregation members opted to save the building after a committee of Heights residents presented a cost-effective plan for restoration.
“There are still a few points pending,” Bakenhus said. “There are some American Disabilities Act requirements we need to meet for the building. ... There still is nothing in writing — no contracts — at this time.”
Gallery idea rejected
Still, Bakenhus, who had been an early advocate for saving the structure, expressed pleasure in the congregation's decision.
“I'm really looking forward to using the building for community activities,” he said.
The decision to save the building came just months before a planned May demolition.
In mid-February, the church congregation rejected an art gallery owner's plan to convert the building into a museum for Texas art.
Minnette Boesel, the mayor's cultural affairs assistant, said finding a workable plan to restore the building drew support from neighborhood groups and from City Council members Edward Gonzalez, whose district includes the church, and Sue Lovell, head of the city's historic preservation committee.
allan.turner@chron.com
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