A year after closing its doors, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion has finally hit the real estate market. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
One year removed from the unexpected closing of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, which had operated in Fair Haven for 125 years, the church and its adjoining buildings hit the real estate market last week.
Realtor Jerry Rosa, whose agency, the Diamond Agency, lists the property, would not say what the asking price is for the property. Records show it’s on the market for $1.5 million.
“We’re had some activity on it, but not much yet,” Rosa said. “It’s early still.”
Rosa, who said he specializes in church sales, said a year isn’t an abnormal stretch between a closing and a ‘for sale’ sign going on the lawn.
“Before the board decides to sell it, it takes time,” he said. “It’s a process. They just lost their congregation.”
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, which owns the property, last year said the property would be sold because the church’s mission was no longer needed in the area.
Its closing was marked by surprise and frustration, especially for Trudy Wojciehowski, who had run Rumson-Fair Haven Academy, a preschool, in one of the buildings attached to the church. She has since gotten back on her feet and is operating the academy at Fisk Chapel just a street over.
Rosa would not say what kind of potential buyers have looked at the property.
“It’s so early,” he said. “You don’t sell a church in a week. Sometimes it’s months.”
