October 2009 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

The controversial Church of San Francisco at 28th and Church streets is now an empty shell, following the eviction of Pastor Joesiah Bell and several followers last month. A half dozen Sheriff's deputies cleared the building Sept. 23 after the "Blue Church" lost its final appeal in Superior Court. Workmen for the owner immediately boarded the doors and windows with plywood.

The church had been embroiled in a three-year dispute with its former business partner, J. Branch Developments, Inc., a firm that plans to build six condominiums on the site. Because of weak economic conditions, developer James Branch says he won't start construction for 9 to 10 months. He has been asking neighbors if they prefer to see the building razed immediately, with the corner becoming a vacant lot, or whether the rundown building should remain until construction starts. No decision had been reached at press time.

--Corrie M. Anders