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From:
Subject: Re: Of Interest to Bedford Researchers
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 01:09:06 EDT
Jeff & Listers;
I'm not quite sure how to classify it: Is it a persecution of old
churches (though the thought does ring a bit true), or if it truly is a
cheap-shot, thought-to-be-easy-bid to increase the items for which
you can be taxed? And for the record, we too are property owners
in Bedford, and cringe at the idea of being labeled "politician".......
How many times should a church and/or it's congregation have
to prove it's tax-exempt status? Any logically thinking adult can
think of instances in which they know or have heard of unscrupulous
individuals who have either claimed tax-exempt status, or tried to,
and had the IRS come after them like flies after a manure spreader.
And I am by no means contesting the paying of taxes (begrudgingly
paid, but paid nonetheless....).
And it's true that some churches such as the Frame Church, or Mt.
Hope no longer hold church services on the premises. But they did
for years, and now many of the former congregation members lay
at rest in the cemeteries surrounding the church.
And while they are not officially registered as National Historical
Sites, or some such, with almost 200 years of ancestors buried on
their grounds, can anybody tell me why they don't deserve the
common decency to be treated as such?
Is nothing sacred anymore?
Quote: "Things at first glance often appear to be what they are not!"
unquote.
Please explain to me then, how I misinterpreted then, the tax-reps
wording, repeated verbatim, that I posted in my original article. When
asked by my cousin how a church such as Mt. Zion (using it as an
example, as it covers a fair chunk of ground), or the Frame Church,
would pay it's taxes since there is no congregation anymore. Grounds
maintenance (and any building upkeep, if any) is paid for by donations
from relatives of those buried there, or grants willed to the ground's
upkeep by generous benefactors, etc. Often mowed, etc., by volunteers,
using their own time, gas, mowers, etc.
"Well, you can always sell the property."
Isn't that special?! And like John O'Neal posted in his article,
if that happens, what do you HONESTLY think is going to happen
to the property? If you don't think that people wouldn't, see if you
can find a copy of the August issue of "Bedford County & Area
Home Finder" booklet, and look on page 30. I might be wrong,
and that building that's advertised as being good for starting your
own business, might be an old schoolhouse, but I don't think so!
And yes, churches have sold their old property before, to move to
newer, bigger property. But what happens to the cemeteries that
were there? If you have any questions, go down Rt. 326 out of
Clearville, and abt 3 miles south of town, drive past the site of the
old Grace Lutheran Church. The property was absorbed as part
of the Lutheran Church in Everett when the Grace closed it's doors.
The property was then sold, sometime in the 90's, I think. The new
owner came in with a bulldozer, flattened the building and the small
cemetery behind it. Illegal? Sure. Has the county busted him for it?
No, of course not. Not cost effective, I guess.....
I am ready and willing, with open ears and a mind, to gather all
suggestions from any listers who think that I or my cousin are
blowing this all out of proportion, as to how the churches can
come up with the $$ to pay the taxes if this is imposed.
When the tax-board's lawyer is ducking and covering like Tom
Turkey in late November, it really makes the "smell-o'meter"
start leaning into the red.
Jerry
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