ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A nearly 50-year-old Orange County church could soon be taken by eminent domain to make way for an elementary school expansion.
The Pershing Avenue Christian Church has a memorial garden where about two dozen church members’ ashes have been spread.
“That was where he wanted them spread. I mean, that was his request,” said church member Allison Dyson Sherard said.
Sherard’s father was one of the church’s founding members who spearheaded the effort for the memorial garden in the late 1990s. His ashes were spread in 2001 in the memorial garden.
“It's sort of like, just now, slapping us in the face,” Sherard said.
The church has been a community partner of the elementary school, making backpacks and giving winter coats for children who need them.
Before the church was built, Pershing Elementary School held services in the school cafeteria.
The school district said they are in the process of surveying the property to see if it will work. They said officials are still negotiating with the church.
School district officials did not release information on what would happen to the ashes if they get the land.
Church members said they are waiting to see what will happen to the congregation and the family members whose ashes were spread on the grounds.
“(It's) totally a waiting game. We have no idea what we will do,” said Sherard.
Church members said they would like to see the school board built on a large piece of land behind the church so both sides could be happy.
Pershing Elementary School K-8 is scheduled and funded for demolition in 2017, with the new school being built in 2019.
Cox Media Group
