Reporter at News 5 Cleveland
AKRON, Ohio — A former church complex in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood with a rich history— but a current source of aggravation— is coming down."This is a priority. We're not waiting. We're taking this building down," said Mayor Shammas Malik during a news conference attended by multiple city leaders and community groups.
What once was a place of worship— and a megachurch— has become one eyesore and a spot for vandals and thieves. "The extreme hazard of a building like this, and it's coming down, just means so much to the safety forces," Natko said. The building initially housed the Akron Baptist Temple, one of the nation's first megachurches. The original structure was built in 1937, and a new, larger building was built in 1949 to house the growing congregation.
The Akron property is still owned by The Work Church, which currently has a place of worship in Warrensville Heights.
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