Church, St. Marys schools cut a deal

ST. MARYS - School board members this week approved a one-year lease with Rock City Church of Hilliard to use school facilities during non-school hours for worship services.

Rock City Church will pay $45,000 for access to the school lobbies, restrooms, auditorium, gymnasium, kitchen area and common areas for church services from 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sundays, according to the lease agreement.

The lease is retroactive to Aug. 4 and expires Aug. 31, 2025. It will be paid in $3,750 monthly installments.

Superintendent Bill Ruane announced the lease agreement was in discussion at the June board meeting.

"They're hoping to use our facilities for a couple of years," he said. "It's not uncommon. We actually had a church start at West School. They were using West School a few years ago and they went out and got a more permanent site. I know it happened at Wapak. Harvest Baptist started at Wapak (schools) and now they have a nice location across the street. That might be an option here one day."

According to its website, Rock City Church is a nondenominational church started in 2011 with locations in Hilliard, Polaris, Short North, Whitehall and the Grand Lake area.

"I truly believe with the depth of my heart that we will fill this room very quick on Sunday," Grand Lake campus pastor Greg Gerstburg said at the July board meeting. "The worship experience that is offered at Rock City is extremely engaging."

The school board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 in the high school auditorium.