A dispute over the contents of a former church in Keokuk is scheduled to go to trial in November.
Christ Vision is the listed owner of 228 North 4th Street in Keokuk, the site where the former Unitarian Church stood for decades. The deteriorating condition of the building led to the city hiring Keokuk Contractors to tear it down in December 2017.
Christ Vision sued Keokuk Contractors less than two weeks after the demolition began. The organization claimed that it is entitled to several items from the church that are valued at $142,000.
- 19th Century Dedication Plaque and Stone from 1874 ($25,000 value)
- 19th Century Gothic Revival Entry Door ($20,000 value)
- Finished Stone ($65,000 value)
- Eight 19th Century temple crosses ($32,000 value)
Christ Vision is seeking the items or financial compensation.
“The Plaintiff [Christ Vision] is the actual owner of all of the property set forth herein,” per the lawsuit filed December 22, 2017. “All of the property was taken from the Plaintiff by the Defendant [Keokuk Contractors] upon the Defendant demolishing the building of the Plaintiff located in Keokuk.”
Keokuk Contractors denied the claims against them and asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
This is the third attempt to hold the trial. Previous trial dates in November 2018 and May 2019 were delayed at the request of the parties involved.
