Harlem bishop Kevin Griffin recently sold a historical Harlem church to Moujan Vahdat, owner of Elmo Realty. He bought the historical site for restoration in 2014. Griffin, however, allegedly stashed profit in his pockets without informing the prosecutor's office.

Patch first reported that Attorney Letitia James filed charges against Griffin. They demanded him to pay back due to the illegal payments made.

Turns out, Kevin Griffin did not disclose the deal he arranged with Vahdat. The site developer paid $2 million for the church site. He also financed $2.5 million for the construction. The plan includes constructing housing floors above the church, as reported. 

Projected Sales Made out of Property

Based on the report, Kevin Griffin is a preacher in the Pentecostal Church of Antigua. He is also a member of the New York State Division Church of God in Christ. 

The bishop is also the president and preacher of the Childs Temple Church of God in Christ. It once stood at 1763-1771 Amsterdam Avenue near 147th Street.

His biography displayed that he oversees a 10-million dollar project business. The plan included the Childs Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ renovation.

Finder's Fees Worth $440,000 Rewarded to Griffin

After attracting potential investors for a sister church, Griffin allegedly made income off it. The sister ministry, Healing from Heaven Temple, underwent a financial dilemma.

Through the aid of Griffin, the owner sold the property.

In 2016, exactly $450,000 sale proceeds went to the bishop. He received a total payment of $900,000 from the developer but did not inform the State of Harlem.

He broke the state law and acted out of self-interest, expressed the State. He also misused his position to gain charity assets. 

As reported, lines are now unattended and disconnected. Griffin has not made a statement yet.

Building's Detrimental State 

Elmo Realty Company did not have any expertise with church development. The building disintegrated with no effort made in maintenance.

Curios Uptowner reported that holes appeared out of its roof after several decades. Personnel relocated the chandelier for safekeeping.

The worship place appeared bare, torn down, and its roof's off the hinges. Scattered debris remains around as of December 2017 after undergoing demolishment. It is now a vacant lot.

Homeless Shelter

Patch reported, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio sought to build a homeless shelter out of the vacant lot. His goal was to occupy 84 families with children who had no place to stay.

However, West Harlem community leaders objected in January 2014. They argued the church was better off as affordable housing. Their members took the opportunity of the delay to voice out their concerns.

Community leaders stated it would be ill-fit as a permanent housing shelter. A housing development entertained their queries.

Broadway Housing Communities negotiated to buy off the church. The community board member then advocated for the decision of the non-profit organization. As of now, the building was already demolished.

Historical Landmark

As reported, the Harlem church goes a long way down history. It was a Bluebird theatre back in 1921, then replaced as Ramona theatre. It soon became Teatro Granada which later on converted into Lido Theatre. In 1951, Dr. Childs bought and built a church in its stead.

In history, the church also signified a remarkable event. The funeral of Malcolm X, minister and known human rights activist, was held in the church.

Malcolm X was influential in the civil rights movement. After that, he faced assassination at the Audobon Ballroom, New York in 1965.

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