ALLENTOWN, PA   Revolution Church has purchased property on West Green Street that was last used by St. Michael’s Greek Catholic Church for $500,000 and plans to make it its new home. The property includes a church, rectory, social center, office, living quarters, classrooms and parking. Jeff Barber and Lewis Edwards of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the financing that enabled the church’s pastors, Jim and Mary McIver, to purchase the property at 154-156 W. Green Street at the end of January.

The couple plan renovations to their new property including painting, replacing carpeting and upgrading plumbing. “We are full-speed ahead on renovations, and plan to have our first church services there at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 6,” Jim McIver said. The church had been holding services Sunday afternoons in space it rented from Emanuel United Methodist Church on South Ninth Street in Allentown.

The McIvers began the Spirit-Filled, Full-Gospel church on Turner Street in Allentown in 1996. In September 2013, the church moved to 5 Race Street in Catasauqua. Although they never intended the Catasauqua property to be permanent, they stayed until 2020 when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation took the property by eminent domain for intended road improvements at Race and Lehigh streets.

Pastor Jim said the church has a diverse membership of about 150 and includes those who are Black, White, Latino, Haitian and African. The pastor had been searching the Internet for a new location for some time when one morning he stopped to have breakfast. Something told him to go back and check the listings again. That’s when he saw the new listing for the Catholic church’s property, and he mobilized to make it theirs.

Barber helped arrange a commercial loan with First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union.  Pastor Jim said, “Jeff worked hard to help us get the financing and we are grateful for all the time and energy he put into this.” Barber said he is happy to help the pastors find a permanent location for their valued ministry.

The property was listed by Earl Stafford of Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate in Allentown; the McIvers were represented by Maureen Fletcher of Iron Valley Real Estate in Allentown.

 

Lehigh Financial Group, LLC is a leading source of innovative real estate capital solutions and financing options for commercial customers. The company, based in Allentown, serves the Lehigh Valley region by providing capital for businesses and investors locally, regionally and nationwide. For more information on Lehigh Financial Group LLC, please see our website at http://www.lehighfinancialgroup.com.

Information provided to TVL by Beth Orenstein on behalf of:
Lehigh Financial Group, LLC
122 North 5th Street
Allentown Pa 18102
http://www.lehighfinancialgroup.com/

 

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