YARMOUTH, N.S. — The owners of a former Yarmouth church, who purchased it with the intention of renovating the building into a home, are now appealing an order to remedy their unsightly premises.
The structure, located at 42 Argyle St., was inspected this summer by the Town of Yarmouth’s administrator of dangerous and unsightly premises.
The inspector noted that siding was falling off and the weather was entering the building. A window had broken glass and the building was in need of repair. He also noted that windows that are boarded up can only be done so on a temporary basis.
The structure, formerly known as Temple Baptist Church, opened in 1872 and was purchased close to 11 years ago by Deb and Wayne Field.
The Fields have 30 days to remedy the problems recorded or else the town will take action and charge the owners for associated costs.
In letters of appeal addressed to town officials, the Fields provided several explanations for the appearance of the building, saying it took a number of years for them to become permanent Yarmouth residents as they had to sell their Alberta home first. Also, they have concentrated their energy on the former parsonage next door on William Street, which they also own.
They say they plan on turning the top floor of 42 Argyle St. into a home while the main floor would become Debbra’s art & stain glass studio.
They say financial challenges and vandalism to the church have impacted their renovation plans. For example, they say they have paid out some $41,000 in vacancy insurance for the former church.
They add that they have been taken advantage of by local workers. They also bring up examples of other properties in town, which they say are also eyesores, and ask why they are not receiving the same “order to remedy appearance.”
The Fields concluded their most recent letter by saying if the town wanted to loan them funds at a low interest rate so they could complete the restoration or if it wanted to purchase the property, they would be willing to listen.
