901 19th - Kingsway Cathedral
Built in 1901, Kingsway Cathedral served its congregation until 2003, when the City of Des Moines ordered it closed because of structural problems. The issue over whether to demolish the structure or rehabilitate it has been controversial ever since. The cathedral is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing resource in the Sherman Hill Historic District.
This structure is on the DSMRC 2008 list of Des Moines' Seven Most Endangered Buildings.
Kingsway Cathedral Saved!
The Des Moines Register reports:
KLM International, an international evangelistic organization founded by Pastors Kenney and Neja Linhart, has bought the former Kingsway Cathedral property at 901 19th St. The cathedral is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was put on a list of buildings the Rehabbers Club deemed to be in imminent danger of neglect or demolition last year.
Church officials had tried to gain permission from the city to demolish the building, but those plans were derailed largely by resistance from preservationists and city staff. Over the past two years, the cathedral has been for sale for $4.5 million to $5.2 million, which included the estimated cost of making the renovations. The assessed value of the building is around $850,000.
... and they even mentioned the Most Endangered Buildings list!