The red-brick building for decades served as the thriving Central Church of Christ, boasting hundreds of members. Now boarded up, it is the focus of a yearslong legal dispute as Grant and relatives try to restore Burton’s legacy.

At the center are allegations businessman Shawn Mathis took control of the church and its assets—totaling millions—by pushing out longtime members and installing a handful of supporters who are paid from church coffers, an effort Burton’s descendants call “steeple-jacking.” 

They want the building to be used for charitable purposes, such as a homeless shelter.

Mathis calls the allegations meritless and says the church is engaged in mission work supporting Church of Christ congregations worldwide, including via online ministry, according to a statement from his lawyer. Attempts to take control of the building—and oust Mathis—are motivated by the church property’s rising market value, the statement said, estimating it is worth $30 million...Read More

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