Sapulpa church on the auction block

We are pretty sure this doesn't happen often, but a Sapulpa church is on the auction block and they are not just having a little garage sale. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Rick Wells says the Sapulpa

Thursday, January 19th 2006, 10:35 am

By: News On 6

We are pretty sure this doesn't happen often, but a Sapulpa church is on the auction block and they are not just having a little garage sale.

News on 6 reporter Rick Wells says the Sapulpa church is selling almost everything and he says there are some hot items on the auction block.

The church building's been at 201 South Water Street for a long time. In 1926, it was the First Methodist Episcopal Church, First Methodist in 1939 and First Assembly of God moved in in 1968.

Pastor Larry Warnock grew up in this church. "We moved here in '68, I remember as a teenager helping move from the old location to here." But the congregation is older now and smaller, he feels to survive they've got to change. "We are still trying to do church like we did forty years ago."

The change will include a new name and location, the Freedom Family Center will be up the street a few blocks at least temporarily. All the old stuff is for sale. "The pews, projection screen, piano, organ." Just about everything inside the church is on the block. They left the holiday decorations up, they're for sale too. Downstairs, there is a gymnasium sized area its space they just don't need. "In our kitchen we're selling quite a bit of stuff out of it." The stove, a freezer, pots and pans, tables and chairs. Gee, there's enough here to start a church. A few years ago they installed lifts to help folks get around.

Proceeds from the auction will pay for new property for the new church, but there are always mixed feelings. "Mother's Day of 1968 was our first service here." This coming Sunday will be the first service on a new path, for this long time Sapulpa congregation. The auction is Friday, January 27th beginning at 10 AM.

If you'd like more information call the church at 224-5404.