Flooded-out church accepts buyout

Associated Press - December 2, 2009 9:04 AM ET

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - The congregational conference of a flood-damaged church has voted to take the city of Cedar Rapids' buyout offer.

The problem for the former congregants at the Salem United Methodist Church is that they don't know where they'll go next.

The city will buy out the church and its land for $700,000. The church was heavily damaged by flooding on the Cedar River in June 2008.

The congregation has been taking up temporary residence in other churches, but is still seeking a permanent home.

The church was offered the buyout from the city in July but had to follow guidelines set by United Methodist Church policy. Those include going before a district building committee, the bishop and then the United Methodist conference.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/