Man converts home into church to save tax

A Chicago estate agent has sparked a row over the extent of his religious fervour after he converted his home into a church, saving himself $80,000 (£40,000) in taxes.

George Michael said he converted his $3 million home in a Chicago suburb into the Armenian Church of Lake Bluff so his disabled wife and daughter did not have to travel to worship.

Mr Michael told Illinois officials he started his own congregation - reportedly numbering a few close friends and family - a year ago after receiving a pastor's degree from a religious internet site.

He placed a cross on the side of his lakeside mansion home which neighbours accepted as a sign of his Christian devotion.

However, respect has turned to suspicion after it emerged that the property's church status qualified him for a hefty saving on his annual property tax bill.

Local officials in Lake Bluff are appealing the state's granting of church status.

"It's a honkin' house," said Teresia Yakes, a planning officer who assessed the property, which is surrounded by "private property" and "no trespassing" signs.

State tax authorities confirmed that they never visited on a Sunday to check if services were being held.

Mr Michael presented them with a copy of his clergy licence from the Church of Spiritual Humanism, photos of a church altar, the church's affidavit of organisation from January 2007, church bylaws and copies of weekly church bulletins dating to December.

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America in New York said it had no record that the Armenian Church of Lake Bluff exists or that it has been consecrated as a house of worship.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2309912/Man-converts-home-into-church-to-save-tax.html