MORRISANIA — A Bronx Civil court judge ruled to let a church facing eviction stay in its building, after the landlord tried to smash in its front door on Good Friday to kick them out.
The Word of Life church, at 813 Westchester Ave., had been in a legal battle with its landlord, a nonprofit group called the Osborne Association, for months over alleged missing or late rent payments, but in a court hearing on Tuesday afternoon, the church signed over a check for $52,132.04 and the judge ruled that it can stay.
Justice Elizabeth A. Taylor decided that the church could stay in the building as long as it paid the Osborne Association what it owed.
On Feb. 20, the same court ordered that the church be evicted from the building for not paying rent. City Marshals arrived at the church on April 1, to escort members out because the church was still using the building.
And on April 2, Judge Eddie McShan issued an emergency stay order, allowing the church to remain in the building until April 7 due to the holidays.
The church still owes the Osborne Association another $5,600 in legal and marshal fees, due April 21, according to Judge Taylor's ruling.
"We're grateful that the judge ordered them to pay the full amount," said Jonathan Stenger, spokesman for the Osborne Association.
Rev. John Udo-Okon, pastor at Word of Life, was relieved by the decision as well.
"We just hope that this is over," he said.
