Giant Empty Joliet Church Up For Sale

JOLIET, IL - The old St. Mary's Carmelite Catholic Church property has been vacant and neglected since the Diocese of Joliet closed the downtown church in 1991. But this week, there's some buzz in the air. The church property, at 113 N. Ottawa St., is for sale.

Dolan & Murphy is teaming up with Caton Commercial Real Estate Group in an effort to sell the property. During a phone interview Tuesday, representatives of Dolan & Murphy told Joliet Patch that the old St. Mary Carmelite church is for sale at $350,000.

It's being advertised as a commercial redevelopment, they said.

Earlier this year, Patch reported the St. Mary's property was under the control of Michael Feldman, a Downers Grove resident whose business card identifies him as being part of the KMI Group Inc. KMI Group was formed in December 2014 and its address is listed as being in the 2100 block of 63rd Street in Downers Grove.

Dolan & Murphy told Patch that some investors may want to buy the property to demolish the church and put up a new building on the site. On the other hand, it's also possible that another congregation would be interested in renovating the property.

Representatives of Dolan & Murphy seemed to indicate, however, that a tear down of the property might attract more interest from business investors.

The back of the church property is across the street from the popular Harrah's Casino & Hotel.

The vacant property is less than two blocks from the new 10-story Will County Courthouse being built near the Ottawa and Jefferson Streets. The new courthouse will open in 2020.

Do you know someone who might be interested in buying the old church property? If so, reach out to Dolan & Murphy.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor