LAKELAND, Fla. — The Church of Christ Church on South Florida Avenue in Lakeland is offering to give away its old parsonage for free — but there's a catch.  You have to move the house at your own expense.

  • Lakeland church offers free home with one condition
  • Home has to be moved at your expense
  • Home built in 1920s rundown, in poor condition

The original owner was a doctor who had the nearly 4,000-square-foot home built in the 1920s. There are many great features of the home. It has fireplaces, hardwood floors, and fine woodwork. 

But the house has gotten rundown over time. There is no working condition kitchen and the bathrooms are in poor shape.

“The wiring is a big problem,” said deacon John McShane who has been put in charge of trying to find someone to take the home. “If you’ll notice this is the old wiring they had back in the 1920s, 1930s. Just a two wire system, no ground.” 

All the wiring would have to be replaced and so would the plumbing. And moving the house would be expensive.  

“And several people didn’t read the fine print that said you must move the house,” said McShane about the many people who have called about the free home offer. He said moving the home would cost about $150,000. 

Historic building fan Gregory Fancelli has offered to fix up the home with his own money so the church could keep the home where it is. 

“So if he can do that, this house has all kinds of possibilities,” said McShane.

He said the home could be used as living quarters for people who attend the church’s School of Preaching or benevolence cases. 

McShane said church elders were set to consider Fancelli’s offer on Wednesday evening. ​