TMA in talks to buy church

The Toledo Museum of Art is considering buying Glenwood Lutheran Church, 1716 Glenwood Ave. The original structure was erected in 1901, though there have been updates to the building since then. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH Enlarge | Buy This Photo Published: Tuesday, 4/22/2014 - Updated: 8 minutes ago

BY TOM TROY BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Toledo Museum of Art is in discussions to acquire Glenwood Evangelical Lutheran Church next door on Monroe Street, possibly for an expansion of the Toledo School for the Arts, officials of all three institutions confirmed Tuesday.

Though described as in the early phases, talks focus on financial problems facing the congregation of the 113-year-old church, the goal of Toledo School for the Arts to open an elementary school, and the art museums desire to consolidate its campus.

Mira Samson, president of the Glenwood Church Council, said the church has been in discussions about selling its property to the museum for about a year. Recently, the church invited the museum to make an offer.

We are in conversation, thats all. There have been no bids made, Mrs. Samson said. I think their aim is to build an arts school. The property would be for expanding the museum in some way. They would have that whole section.

The church was founded at Glenwood Avenue and Monroe Street in 1901. The present two buildings, an educational facility and the sanctuary, were constructed in the 1950s and 60s. The church was built on the foundation of the previous sanctuary.

According to an article in The Blade, the new sanctuary was dedicated 50 years ago, on April 12, 1964. The church eschewed a popular architectural trend of functionalism and simplicity and went with a traditional Gothic design with a stone facade. Inside are carved walnut paneling and furnishings, and completing the outside is a stone tower. The stained-glass windows were made in Europe and depict symbols of the church year.

Museum Director Brian Kennedy confirmed the church has invited the museum to make an offer for the property. He said speculation about what the museum would do with it is inappropriate until the church makes a decision.

The future plans for the area dont arise if theyre not interested in selling the church, Mr. Kennedy said. We want to respect the right of the congregation to make a decision.

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TMA in talks to buy church