Streator church buys Oakland Park School

Church of the Open Bible in Streator is moving into Oakland Park School, and the groups currently using the building are welcome to stay put.

The congregation bought the former elementary school, which closed in 2013, from the Streator Elementary School District for $150,000. The board unanimously accepted the church's bid, which was the highest of three bidders, at a special meeting Tuesday.

"It's going to be a church and a community center of some sort," said Pastor Rodney Kreier, of Church of the Open Bible.

The Streator Community Center and Tri-County Head Start were leasing the building from the school district. Additionally, an English as a second language course took place there. Kreier said all the groups will be able to stay if they wish.

Kreier said his congregation had the need for a larger space. Church services are conducted at 404 Powell St. No plans have been made for the Powell Street church, he said.

"We heard (Oakland) was for sale and we're outgrowing our present building," Kreier said. "We knew we needed more room. We wanted to find a way to reach out to our community and serve our community, and we thought this would be a good way to do it."

Kreier said the church intends to release more information on its plans soon.

Hawthorne Development put in a failed bid at $95,000 and Gold Nugget LLC, out of Missouri, offered $25,100.