Dundee business plans to buy historic church

DUNDEE--The First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Dundee has recently changed from an active real estate listing to an "under contract" status. Winner's Circle Deli, currently across the street at 20 Main, has submitted and had accepted a purchase offer for the location. They are now working through the various steps to reach a potential closing by September.
The Presbyterian congregation dissolved at the end of 2017, while the church building was put on the market earlier in the fall. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its Romanesque architecture. This includes two towers on the front of the church with stained glass in between them.
Sam Morse, owner of Winner's Circle, explained he wants to use the building as an event center and venue to hold weddings, parties and musical performances.
"The most exciting part is I will be able to use my own venue," said Morse. "My plan is to offer a one-stop shop. I will have a list of local businesses that are working with me, so a person could come in and say 'I want to have a wedding' and we can plan the whole thing for them. All they need to do is bring the people for the wedding. It takes the stress off of them for finding all the different things."
At this time, Winner's Circle restaurant and deli will continue to operate at their current location next to the post office.
Morse said the look of the historic building will be maintained as well as the church sanctuary which contains a pipe organ. The basement will be converted to a residence.
On the current timetable, Winner's Circle Event Center plans to begin reserving times for events in October.
"Being that it is a church property, there are more details for the closing, which is why it has taken a longer time than normal real estate transactions," added Morse. He also said the sale will need county approval.