After nearly a year, Dave Wescott decides to sell landmark proper

The old St. Mark’s Church is on the market again.

Dave Wescott, who purchased the former Lyndon Street church last summer to save it from potential demolition, is putting the landmark building up for sale and is asking $225,000.

Mr. Wescott bought the building from the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island last August to forestall a plan by two developers who wanted to purchase the property and possibly tear down the church to make way for condos. Since then, he has done some structural work on the building and two weeks ago hosted a charity concert. But he can’t hold on it forever, he said.

“I have been talking to people about potential uses for the past eight months and the discussion always comes back to residential being the most probable and perhaps the best use given its location,” he said.

Mr. Wescott decided to sell as he doesn’t want to continue to hold the property without cash flow, “and I’m not certain that I want to undertake its renovation into residence.”

With the Statewide Preservation Conference set for this coming Saturday, April 26, Mr. Wescott decided to put it on the market now; though he hasn’t done the paperwork yet, he said deed restrictions will be attached to the property so potential buyers will have to be sensitive to the property’s cultural and historical significance, and the needs of the neighborhood.

“There will be 500 preservationists in town next weekend so I thought this might be a good time to test the waters.”

The property is being marketed by William Raveis Real Estate

— Ted Hayes