Pitchin Community Fights for Church
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Missy Pinterman speaks to a television news camera about the dispute over the Pitchin Community Church, which houses a small congregation in a small rural community. It is unclear who, if anyone, actually owns the building and property, which includes a cemetery. Parishioners have been told that if they continue to block the sale of the church, "appropriate action will be taken." The doors were locked for the first time since the church opened in 1833 according to Pastor Jacob Cultice, who has attended services there for 63 years. The church's signs were forcibly removed from the front of the building and replaced with a sign announcing an auction date. Members of the Pitchin Community Church are upset that after they became a non-denominational congregation, the United Methodist Church district office began trying to sell their building which dates back to 1833. The dispute has resulted in the changing of locks as both parties claim ownership. Barbara J. Perenic/Staff