State settles with Randolph church on alleged misuse of donations
BY PEGGY WRIGHT • AND ABBOTT KOLOFF • March 31, 2009
State Division of Consumer Affairs officials will hold a press conference in Randolph Wednesday to announce the settlement of an alleged misuse of donations by leaders of Church Alive Inc.
Church Alive officials acknowledged today that they agreed to pay back $120,000 in donations that had been made to refurbish their church building, on Route 10, which they later sold. But they denied any wrongdoing, saying they sold the building after about half of their members left the church.
“We weren’t able to make mortgage payments when those members left,” said Philip DuPlessis, a pastor at Church Alive, also known as Randolph Christian Church.
In a press release issued today, state officials said church leaders sold the church building and used the proceeds to buy a $1.6 million luxury home in Randolph and a 78-foot schooner, among other items. Tax records show that Church Alive purchased a home for that amount last year.
Jeff Lamm, spokesman for the state Division of Consumer Affairs, said the state would not elaborate on its press release until Wednesday’s press conference.
DuPlessis acknowledged the purchase of the home, saying it serves as a parsonage, home to the church’s senior pastor, Eric Simon, and his family. He said it also serves as a place where the church’s 75 members participate in leadership development and other activities.
“Our church members have full access and use of the building,” he said. “It’s an investment we made when we sold the (church) building. … We are very grateful we didn’t invest in the stock market.”
As for the schooner, he said the church purchased a small interest in the Liberty Schooner, based in Jersey City, used for outreach to children in urban areas.
DuPlessis said the church paid $150,000 to refurbish the Route 10 building before selling it to another church. Church Alive still uses the building for Sunday services, having signed a five-year lease, and will pay nothing the first two years, he said.
Church officials issued a prepared statement today, saying they signed a consent order with the state that refunds “some contributions made to the church building fund by certain former member-leaders.” It also said the church agreed to make changes in some current investments and to reorganize its constitution and bylaws to establish “stronger checks and balances.”
State officials scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Wednesday in front of the home purchased by the church last year at 14 Kingsbrook Court, Randolph. Consumer Affairs Director David Szuchman, investigators and attorneys are expected to attend.
