Franklin County congregation to demolish moldy church

? Throughout history, many have said that a church is not a building, it is the people who belong to it.

One congregation is being put to the test.

The congregation of Homewood Christian Church has decided to demolish its building because of a mold problem. The 141-year-old structure is one of the oldest church buildings in Franklin County.

“It’s a hard decision,” said Don Higdon, a member of the church board. “We felt the need to protect the health of all the members of our congregation. We wanted to play it safe.”

The building is infested with black mold, a potential health threat to churchgoers, especially the elderly and very young members of the church.

The effects of mold can range from coughing and itchy, watery eyes to chronic sinus infections and asthma.

The building was originally used by another congregation in a nearby rural neighborhood. When that church closed, records show that the 28-by-54-foot wood frame structure was moved on rollers by teams of horses to its present location.

It was perched on rocks and does not have a foundation, which Higdon says likely contributed to the mold problem.

The congregation considered repairing the building and trying to control the mold, but decided it would be cheaper to build a new church building.

The church has offered to let salvagers take lumber from the building.