A new senior center for Stow? It's possible. City considers buying church property
A Stow church may see new life as the gathering place for area seniors and other community members.
On Wednesday, Stow's Parks and Recreation Department announced the city is considering buying the Cornerstone Community Church property at 5344 Fishcreek Road to turn it into a new senior and community center.
Tracie McNutt, a marketing specialist with the city, said in a news release that the current senior center at 3968 Darrow Road is used daily. However, the building is less than 1,700 square feet and can only accommodate a maximum of 49 individuals at one time.
The church property, on the other hand, would provide more than four times the space with more than 8,000 square feet and a capacity of 533 individuals.
McNutt said the church, which is currently listed for $725,000, "aligns well with the City's needs to provide a facility for fun, active, social programs and events for what is the largest segment of the City’s population."
What happened to Cornerstone Community Church?
Cornerstone Community Church's last service was on New Year's Eve, said Dan Page, the former minister at the church.
Page said a variety of factors led to the decision to close the church, including his resignation in September after 23 years at the church and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It became clear to me late spring, early summer that my time there was over," Page said. "When I resigned, I wasn't sure what the future held for the church itself. Within a few weeks, it became clear to the congregation that Cornerstone's time had come to an end as well."
Page said that during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns, many parishioners didn't come back to in-person services and continued to attend remotely.
"It became untenable when a number of those who stayed decided to look for another church after I was gone," he said.
A second life as a community gathering place
Stow Mayor John Pribonic stated in the Wednesday media release that the city decided last year not to propose a levy for a community recreation center because residents were already facing increased property taxes due the recent Summit County property reappraisals. However, he added that improving the current senior center remained a priority.
If the city goes through with the purchase, the new property could permit Stow to offer programming for more people, from preschool age to adults, McNutt said.
The church, constructed in 1994 on about 5 acres of land, has an appraised value of $855,580, according to information from the Summit County Fiscal Office.
According to information from the city, the church is a ranch-style building "constructed on a slab with the convenience of no steps." The property also has an outbuilding for storage.
McNutt said the city's administrative controlling board, responsible for authorizing expenditures, has already granted approval for the purchase. City Council will vote on the proposal at an upcoming meeting.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stow could purchase Cornerstone Community Church for new senior center
