Maple Creek property ‘can no longer operate as Lutheran church’

501 Harder Street, Lutheran Church

Maple Creek News

The property that has operated as Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Maple Creek is on the market, and a prospective buyer has been found.

The congregation is no longer in a financial position to continue to run the church at 501 Harder Street, according to Lutheran Church representative Mike Heise.

In correspondence with the Town of Maple Creek, he said that the church wished to change the discretionary use of the property to allow for residential occupancy.

“We require this in order to sell the building and lot to a prospective buyer.”

At present, the property’s zoning is “Community Service District”.

At its September 9 meeting, Maple Creek Town Council accepted a recommendation from administration that Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw be introduced and read a first time.

The administrative report said that Mount Calvary Lutheran Church had informed the Town that it was no longer financially feasible to continue operating the property as a church.

“As a result, the representatives of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church are in the process of selling the property to a prospective purchaser.”

The report said that residential use of the property is not presently permitted within the zoning designation.

“Accordingly, Zoning Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-MC-13 has been prepared and is being presented to Council for consideration.”

If first reading was carried out, the report added, then the public would be notified for two consecutive weeks of Council’s intention to consider adopting the bylaw.

On budget implications, the report said: “If the zoning amendment is approved and the property is sold and converted to residential use, the property would be assessed as residential for taxation purposes.”

On realtor.ca, 501 Harder Street, listed for $245,000, has been conditionally sold.

Built in 1970, the property has a vaulted wood ceiling, architectural beams and “stained glass accents”, according to the listing description.

The property is said to include a large square footage, kitchen facilities and washrooms, and provide lots of storage room.