MOUNT CALVARY TIME LINE

MOUNT CALVARY TIME LINE

April 24, 1984: A fire at Idora Park destroys the park offices and Wild Cat roller coaster and Lost River rides.

Oct. 20-21, 1984: Idora Park rides and equipment are auctioned by Norton Auctioneers of Michigan.

October 1985: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church purchased the Idora Park property for $300,000 and announced its plan for a “City of God.”

May 3, 1986: A fire occurred on the northwest corner of the property, and several amusement park attractions were destroyed.

October 1988: Mahoning County Judge Charles Bannon signed a foreclosure judgment against Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church. The church owed its creditors almost $500,000 including $250,000 to its mortgage lender Consumer United Insurance Co. of Washington, D.C.

May 1989: The Idora Park parcel went to sheriff’s auction, and Consumer United Insurance purchased the land for $205,000. Consumer United then listed the property with real estate broker Fred D’Amico.

1992: The Idora Park Historical Society formed and the Idora property is placed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Jan 11, 1994: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church repurchases the Idora property from Consumer United for $300,000.

Jan. 27, 2000: Youngstown dismissed 44 of 47 safety violations against Mount Calvary Pentecostal regarding fire hazards and security issues on the Idora Park property.

March 5, 2001: The Idora Park ballroom is destroyed by fire.

July 26, 2001: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church removed remaining amusement park rides and structures.

July 17, 2002: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church signed a promissory note to Teen Missions International Inc. of Florida for more than $1 million.

May 26,2003: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church signed a promissory note to Teen Missions International for more than $1.2 million.

Sept. 2006: Former Mahoning County Treasurer John B. Reardon filed for foreclosure of the Idora Park parcel against Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church for nonpayment of property taxes.

Dec. 15, 2006: Teen Missions International paid Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church’s past-due Idora Park property taxes and filed a complaint for money and foreclosure against the church. Missions stated in its lawsuit that the church owed a principal balance of more than $1.2 million, accrued interest of more than $300,000 and late fees totaling $6,026.

May 10, 2007: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church filed for tax-exempt status on its Idora Park parcel and nine surrounding Woodford, Pearce and McFarland properties.

June 2007: The Teen Missions lawsuit was dismissed. Teen Mission’s attorney Charles Wilburn of Circleville, Ohio, said Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church paid off the loan in its entirety.

July 9, 2007: Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church secured a $680,000 mortgage using its Idora Park parcel and nine surrounding Woodford, Pearce and McFarland properties.

Dec. 8, 2010: The Ohio Department of Taxation denied Mount Calvary Pentecostal’s application for tax-exempt status on its Idora Park property,

Feb. 11, 2011: The Ohio Department of Taxation sets aside its Dec. 8, 2010, ruling and is reviewing Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church’s application for tax-exempt status on its Idora Park property.

Source: Vindicator files