By MELISSA DIPENTO
Over the past few months, residents of the Ashland section of Cherry Hill have been seeking answers to the questions and concerns they have about a neighborhood church.
Residents first became concerned about their new neighbor in March when the Cherry Hill Police Department found evidence that many neighborhood burglaries were connected to an individual staying at the Solid Rock Worship Center at 99 Burnt Mill Rd.
Just as neighbors were seeking an apology about the increase in crime, Solid Rock’s Pastor Amir Khan sought forgiveness.
Khan, the church’s pastor of 18 years, said the man who committed the burglaries was staying at the church.
“He did say he had a record, but we were not aware of the extent,” Khan said. “As soon as we heard of the burglaries, we got rid of him. We’re a loving church. We’re sorry that the gentleman robbed the homes.”
In Oct. 2010, Solid Rock signed a lease with the Diocese of Camden, Holy Rosary Parish. In 2009 the parish merged with the Holy Eucharist Parish at 344 Kresson Rd., said Peter Feuerherd, the Diocese’s director of Communications.
Solid Rock signed a lease with the parish, with the intent to purchase the property, which includes the former rectory, school, convent and church.
The total cost of the property, Feuerherd said, is $2.9 million.
In early April, Feuerherd said the tenant had not paid the balance owed.
“Legally, they have not lived up to their part of the bargain,” Feuerherd said. “Our goal is to enforce the agreement.”
And on May 2, without proper payment, Feuerherd said, the parish took action. Holy Eucharist Parish filed civil action with the Superior Court of New Jersey for the $2.9 million previously agreed upon, he said.
“The date has passed. Holy Eucharist has asked Solid Rock to leave the premises,” Feuerherd said. “Action has been taken. We have to rely on the civil authorities.”
Khan said, through speaking with lawyers, his understanding of the agreement would allow Solid Rock one year from the signing date to make settlement on the $2.9 million property. Khan said representatives from both churches signed the agreement on October 29, 2010.
Church officials from Solid Rock released a statement last week about the two church’s ongoing negotiations.
“It was with sadness though that we learned that the Holy Eucharist Parish had filed suit against us. It was not that long ago that Solid Rock and the Parish were equally excited about the prospect of Solid Rock following in the parish’s footsteps in serving others with God’s love in and around Cherry Hill,” the letter stated.
Khan said Solid Rock currently pays $15,000 per month to Holy Eucharist on top of all utilities and maintence fees. Khan said Holy Eucharist would lose about $30,000 per month if the church had no tenants.
“If it is true that public sentiment was not altering the Parish’s course, then it remains a mystery why the Parish would turn down $2.9 million for an otherwise unwanted property. We agreed to pay that price. The parish agreed to accept that price. The explanation, which asserts a technical default, is purely legal and does not openly explain why the Parish does not want to sell, for a vacant church is of no benefit to anyone.”
In the letter, Solid Rock also thanked the township and residents for letting their church set the record straight with the community.
In early April, more than 200 people gathered at the Horrace Mann school cafeteria to hear what Khan, Mayor Bernie Platt, police officers and township officials had to say about the Solid Rock Worship Center.
Platt read a list of questions at the meeting that neighbors sent in to the township. Khan and Platt answered the questions and also fielded inquires from residents, who, at times, raised their voices at the pair.
Platt informed the audience that the township found the Solid Rock Worship Center to be in compliance with the current zoning ordinances.
“The last few months have been a trying time for Solid Rock in Cherry Hill, but a time for which we remain thankful. Our ministry has been falsely accused of aiding and abetting criminals and violating a number of zoning laws,” the letter from Solid Rock officials stated. “Thankfully, time, opportunity and open hearts have allowed us to set the record straight on all those issues. We appreciate the many Cherry Hill citizens, the mayor and other officials who were willing to look past the rumors to the record of who we are, what we have done and what we seek to do.”
There is no word yet on if and when Solid Rock will be asked to vacate the premises.
Khan said he received the legal documentation to vacate in the mail on May 12. From here, Khan said, church officials will continue to meet with attorneys before appearing in court.
“We’re preceeding as if we’re going to settlement,” Khan said.
A court date has been set for next month, Khan said.
Holy Eucharist officials could not be reached for comment. Feuerherd said the diocese’s complaint with Solid Rock has nothing to do with the church itself.
“The church just wasn’t given the money that’s due to them,” Feuerherd said.
Khan said Solid Rock has no plans to leave.
“I think they thought we’d just surrender the property,” Khan said.
The letter released by Solid Rock officials also indicaded that the church would continue to seek maintaining the property.
“And while we may disagree on whether the Parish is technically justified in its position, we remain committed to the purchase of the property and given our common foundation of Jesus Christ, believe that the relationship between the Parish and Solid Rock can still be redeemed,” the letter stated.
“We simply ask that the Parish and the Bishop grant us the same opportunity to prove ourselves that so many Cherry Hill residents and officials have.”
