You've probably driven by it a hundred times -- and for many in Abilene, the enormous white house that once stood proudly on Buffalo Gap Rd., is now nothing more than an eyesore.
"I enjoyed living here thoroughly, but it's too much house for me now," laughed Pat Kasimirs.
Built by Pat Kasimirs and her husband in 1983, the home fell into foreclosure and the couple lost everything.
"It was devastating, it took a toll on my husband that he never recovered from," Kasimirs said.
Since then, the home has transferred hands several times.
Then, in 2009, a possible savior. The home was bought by Champions Church, which owns the nearby land, in the hopes of creating a place for weddings, worship, and a gathering place for community members.
But like it's been for owners past, the funds ran out and work came to a standstill.
"It's not a whole lot of money, but the city has standards for the electrical being redone and fire suppression," Humphries explained. "Those aren't things that surprised us, but we haven't been able to find a way to figure out what we need to do."
Each room is already marked for when it's all said and done -- bedrooms will be turned into pastoral offices, the library into a healing room, and near the pools, will stand a dance floor for weddings.
"We wish it would have been done yesterday," Humphries said.
But no matter what hurdles stand in the way, church leaders say they are not giving up.
"We'll look back and we'll be glad we followed through," said Humphries.
"I don't own the house anymore," said Kasimirs. "I have let go finally, but I can only hope the grandeur of the house will remain in place."
Church leaders said the major repair work so far has been completely redoing the exterior and installing a new roof.
The community will see big changes come this fall, said Humphries, but a target date for completion has not been set at this point.
Most of the funds for restoration have come through donations, fundraisers and the church budget.
"I enjoyed living here thoroughly, but it's too much house for me now," laughed Pat Kasimirs.
Built by Pat Kasimirs and her husband in 1983, the home fell into foreclosure and the couple lost everything.
"It was devastating, it took a toll on my husband that he never recovered from," Kasimirs said.
Since then, the home has transferred hands several times.
Then, in 2009, a possible savior. The home was bought by Champions Church, which owns the nearby land, in the hopes of creating a place for weddings, worship, and a gathering place for community members.
But like it's been for owners past, the funds ran out and work came to a standstill.
"It's not a whole lot of money, but the city has standards for the electrical being redone and fire suppression," Humphries explained. "Those aren't things that surprised us, but we haven't been able to find a way to figure out what we need to do."
Each room is already marked for when it's all said and done -- bedrooms will be turned into pastoral offices, the library into a healing room, and near the pools, will stand a dance floor for weddings.
"We wish it would have been done yesterday," Humphries said.
But no matter what hurdles stand in the way, church leaders say they are not giving up.
"We'll look back and we'll be glad we followed through," said Humphries.
"I don't own the house anymore," said Kasimirs. "I have let go finally, but I can only hope the grandeur of the house will remain in place."
Church leaders said the major repair work so far has been completely redoing the exterior and installing a new roof.
The community will see big changes come this fall, said Humphries, but a target date for completion has not been set at this point.
Most of the funds for restoration have come through donations, fundraisers and the church budget.
Comments
make a online donation thing mabe get people to donate
Johnlene K.
July 24, 2012 at 8:03 pm
plz dont change the history of it its beautiful battle of the bands concerts get tops singers to come in and play and raise money for it
Johnlene K.
July 24, 2012 at 7:55 pm
plz dont change the history of it its beautiful
Johnlene K.
July 24, 2012 at 7:53 pm
