Cypress Hills church faces closure amid financial struggles
The Citadel Cathedral of Praise and Worship, which has served the community since 2016, was sold at auction for nearly $1.2 million last Thursday.
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A church in Cypress Hills is just days away from shutting its doors after battling financial hardships for years.
The Citadel Cathedral of Praise and Worship, which has served the community since 2016, was sold at auction for nearly $1.2 million last Thursday.
Despite the sale, Bishop Kevin Bond and his congregation are holding onto hope and fighting to keep the doors open.
"Since we've been here, crime has been down significantly in this block. People felt this was a very dark area, but we brought light here," he said.
The church, originally purchased for $2.3 million, but was short $500,000, leading to a loan from the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
But between falling back on the repayment plan, the COVID-19 pandemic and mounting costs, foreclosure followed.
"We are a church filled with people who are just regular working, God-fearing individuals who want to make this world a better place," Bishop Bond said, holding onto the belief that a miracle is possible if the congregation can come up with the necessary funds.
News 12 reached out to the Synod and the possible new owner for comment but has been unsuccessful.
The church has until Thursday to raise the money needed to redeem the building, or it will be forced to close its doors for good and seek a new location.
