By Nathan Duke
Robert Holden, the civic's president, said the group was trying to make a deal with the owner that would give them between 30 and 40 days to remove the building from its current locale. Middle Village's All Faiths Cemetery had recently announced that it would provide space for the relocated church if the civic paid for the structure's transfer.
Holden said the civic was now trying to come to an agreement with the church property's owner and secured funds to move the building.
“They were literally within hours of taking it down,” Holden said. “[The property owner] was gracious enough to talk to me. There's been a war going at this property for two years, so he probably didn't want to talk to us. But he was a reasonable guy and a gentleman. He wants to work with the community and does not want any more problems. The lines of communication are open now.”
The civic will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. Monday at the church, located at 57-40 58th St. in Maspeth.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
