The Lawrence County commissioners missed their first opportunity to buy the former Second Presbyterian Church.

Now they intend to purchase the building from its new owner, Paul Lynch of Paul Lynch Investments, for $25,000 more than they initially had offered the presbytery.

The commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution yesterday to buy the building from Lynch for $275,000. He stands to make $55,000 on the deal.

The church is located behind the courthouse at the corner of Milton and Countyline streets. For years, the county had paid rent to the church for use of its lot for parking during the week, and for storage of the county’s voting machines.

INITIAL OFFERS

The presbytery approached the commissioners in February and asked if the county wanted to buy the church because it was closing, county Controller David Gettings explained.

C. Arnie Morris, an agent for Haines Realty, who handled the sale for the presbytery, noted that at the time, the commissioners said they did not have any interest in it.

“When I presented it to (Lynch), he said he would buy it if he could buy it right now,” Morris said, and the presbytery accepted. Lynch paid $220,000 for the property.

The deal for the eight parcels, which include the three-story church, annexes and parking lot, was consummated around April 30 and the deed was signed May 1. It has not yet been recorded in the county register and recorder’s office.

“That was a good investment on his part,” Morris observed.

He said that after the presbytery accepted Lynch’s offer, the commissioners returned with a counter-offer.

“When they found out Lynch was buying it, they had an interest,” he said.

The commissioners offered $250,000, but it was too late.

“Any way you look at it, the commissioners don’t look too well on this one,” Morris commented.