-7-
purposes, if that were the only way to ensure the property would
retain its religious purpose.
Sale of the Monastery
Father Stevens met Steven Archbold (Mr. Archbold), one
petitioner, when Mr. Archbold attended a retreat at the property
in January 1997. At the time, Mr. Archbold was studying to be an
ordained deacon in the Catholic Church.4 Father Stevens showed
the retreat attendees around the property and told them that the
subject property was for sale.
Father Stevens told Mr. Archbold that the subject property
would be sold for an amount to cover debts of the Monks Nonprofit
that approximated $75,000. Mr. Archbold thought the geographical
isolation of the retreat center property would be perfect for the
religious education of junior high and high school students to
whom he taught confirmation classes and other religious classes.
Mr. Archbold thought the secluded location could help his
students focus on spiritual growth. Mr. Archbold decided to talk
to other members of his church community to see whether they
concurred with his idea.
The other petitioners, Michael Cain, Roger Wortmann, and
William Hesse, informed Mr. Archbold that they and their wives
would be interested in purchasing the subject property with him.
The four husbands and wives formed Tintern Retreat Center, LLC
(TRC) and each family became a 25-percent member of TRY. On May
22, 1997, TRY purchased for $75,000 the subject property and any
4Mr. Archbold was ordained as a deacon in 1999.
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