Judge Tears Down House of God
Overtown church and neighboring crack house to be destroyed
AP Images
Ruling against a church might not be an express pass into heaven, but it's what's best for the community, a Miami judge ruled on Monday.
Circuit Judge Valerie Manno Schurr essentially signed the death certificate for the Apostolic Revival Church in Overtown when she ruled the building is unsafe and developers could tear it down.
Last year, the county's Unsafe Structures Board ruled that the property located at 1020-1040 NW 2nd Ave. should be destroyed, in part, because the deteriorating building was also known for being a crack house.
Patrons of the church and neighborhood leaders claimed the building couldn't be torn down because it was historic. They also said they didn't get proper notice of any demolition proceedings. the building has been locked up for days while the county and Overtown battled in court.
It's unclear what will go up in the church's place or what the property will be used for. The building could come down soon, city officials said.
Posted Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 6:12 PM EST
