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June 14. 2012 8:27PM

Presbyterian church plans move to Kingdom Hall

MANCHESTER — A church that leases office space in Manchester has signed a deal to move into the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, the pastor said.

The Church of the Redeemer, which is part of the Presbyterian Church of America, hopes to close on the 99 S. Mammoth Road location by the end of July and hold its first service there in early August, said the Rev. Jon Taylor.

The church has held services at a number of spots since it was founded in 2005; the Manchester Community Music School, hotel space and a Baptist church chapel. Currently, it leases space on the third-floor Maple Street office building.

“It's been a sojurn,” Taylor said. “We are just overjoyed. Every place we've been has been really a challenge. This is secure, visible and accessible. It's really a blessing.”

Taylor said church officials signed a commitment on the sale this week.

The Kingdom Hall had been eyed by Care Givers Inc., a nonprofit that matches volunteers with elderly and disabled people who live in their homes and need help.

Last month, city regulators rejected a variance for the Care Givers, saying the use was not compatible for a residentially zoned neighborhood. At that time, the Zoning Board of Adjustment said the city has historically accepted churches in residential neighborhoods.

On Wednesday, Care Givers president Donny Guillemette said his organization would not ask for a reconsideration of the decision.

Taylor said his church will pay the $450,000 asking price for the Kingdom Hall. The Church of the Redeemer draws about 60 to 70 people to its Sunday morning service, he said.

“Moving doesn't make a church grow, it just makes it easy for people to find you,” he said.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have said that the Mammoth Road building, which is only about 20 years old, is in good shape. But a sloping rear parking lot creates an impediment for congregants with disabilities.


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