Morris Home to keep historic status if moved
By Steve Berry of The Sentinel Staff
Leesburg - City commissioners probably will hear news Monday that could help end a long and sometimes bitter dispute between Methodists and preservationists over an old home in the downtown area. William Thurston, a state supervisor of historic preservation, said he will tell the Leesburg City Commission Monday that moving the Mote-Morris home from church property might not jeopardize its place on the National Register of Historic Places. The home could keep its status if moved to a similar site, such as a vacant lot across the Main Street, he said. Thurston's comment would practically eliminate one of the major reasons that city officials and preservationists have opposed Morrison United Methodist Church's wish to move the home of its property.
The church wants to give the 97-year old structure, which was the home of a former church bishop and a prominent Leesburg family, to the city or to anyone who will move it off church property.But preservationists and city officials have said such a move would take the house off the National Register of Historic Places and jeopardize its chances for getting state restoration funds. The dispute has raged for three months. Preservationists have demonstrated in front of the church during Sunday services. City Commissioner Robert Lovell has threatened the church with eminent domain, the right government agencies have to acquire property for the public good.
And Morrison pastor Leslie Rabb has fired off a "Pastoral Message" declaring "I'm Upset." Thurston, who toured the lot Monday with Rabb and Commissioner Joe Knowles, said it looks as if it would meet federal provisions that would let the structure stay on the national Registry pending a review of the home after the move. "I did not look at the site in detail, but it appears to be appropriate," Thurston said. "The lot keeps the building in its immediate neighborhood. The move would only require turning the house around so that it would face the street."
He said moving it across the street probably would not lessen the city's chances to get a state grant to renovate the home. Moreover, a national registry official said in a letter to Rabb, the house would not lose its place on the registry if state officials approve the move. "If the relocation is approved in advance,the building will retain its National Register listing," said Carol D. Shull, chief of registration. The Commission Monday will hear Thurston's analysis of the site and other information about state money available for renovation projects. If the move doesn't jeopardize the home's eligibility, the city could consider buying the new site,while preservationists could raise money to finance the move.
Tom Grizzard Realtor Inc. lists the lot for $90,000, but agent Craig Hollingsworth said owner Charles Miller is willing to negotiate. Miller owns an antique store next to the half-acre lot. Knowles, who toured the site with Thurston and the church pastor, said he will offer a proposal to the commissiona Monday. "I am first going to establish the fact that the house is not going to stay where it is," he said. Rabb said Knowles is right. The church's administrative board recently unanimously affirmed its wish to move the house off the property, he said. Rabb, in his pastoral message, accused preservationists of waging a "deceitful campaign" against the church and of trying to split the congregation over the issue.
The preservationists have erroneously said the church eagerly wants to destroy the old home, he said. Jim Hill, spokesman for a group that has been pressuring the church to let the house stay on the property,denied the charges. He declined further comment,saying he wants the debate to become more positive. He said he would accept moving the home only as a last resort."Optimally, we want the house to stay on the property," he said. "But if [there is] no other solution, we would rather see it moved thatn bulldozed.
We just want to save the house." City officials are not averse to buying property in connection with the home, because they already have offered to swap land to the church for the Mote-Morris site. And Hill has said his group will donate money left over from its publicity campaign to anyone wanting to restore the home. So far it has raised $650 and spent $440,, but treasurer Jane Halloway said several people have said they would make big contributions toward preserving the home. She questioned whether the city should provide the land: "I don't know if that's a burden the taxpayers should bear."
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