Church Site in Van Nuys May Be Sold to Developers

An 11-acre site belonging to the First Baptist Church of Van Nuys may be developed for condominiums and apartments after the collapse of a plan to sell the property to First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, a church official said Tuesday.

But the demise of the $11-million sale will not deter a planned move to Chatsworth by the 10,000-member First Baptist Church, said the Rev. Jim Rives, associate executive pastor.

The Rev. Jack Hayford, pastor of First Foursquare, also known as Church on the Way, said his 6,500-member church canceled the sale upon learning that renovations would cost $3 million to $4 million, about twice what had been expected.

When the sale was announced July 5, Hayford said First Foursquare planned to hold services at both churches when it took possession of the property in 1989. The churches are about 1,500 feet apart on Sherman Way.

Charismatic Congregation

Hayford said Tuesday that the fast-growing, charismatic congregation probably will meet its need for more space “the way we have for years--by buying small parcels in the neighborhood and spreading our departments around.”

The congregation operates on 10 acres east of Van Nuys Boulevard.

Rives said the sales agreement permitted First Foursquare to back out anytime during the first 45 days.

The would-be buyers also were permitted access to First Baptist property for inspection by engineers and other specialists.

Rives said his Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated church is negotiating with two developers “but we remain open to all offers.”

He said that, because a developer would raze the sanctuary and other buildings, there is “no way any developer is going to pay us the price that First Foursquare was willing to pay.”

But Rives said First Baptist still plans to take possession of a 25-acre site in Chatsworth in December. The church opened a $4.2-million escrow on the property in February.

First Baptist officials say they plan to build a sanctuary, Sunday school, offices and other facilities at the site, which encompasses property on both sides of the Simi Valley Freeway between Winnetka and Corbin avenues.

Attempts by First Baptist last year to build a church near affluent Monteria Estates in Chatsworth were thwarted by opposition from residents.

No similar opposition has surfaced to the current plan, which calls for building in a relatively undeveloped area.

The church must obtain a conditional-use permit from the City of Los Angeles before construction can begin.