Less than two years after its dedication, a Buddhist temple in Dormont has closed.

The founders of Thien Vien Van Hanh, located on the site of the former Dormont United Methodist Church on Potomac Avenue, said costs to heat and operate the building proved to be too much. They are looking for a more affordable location elsewhere in the South Hills, said KimQuoc Ngo, one of the founders.

The temple organizers had agreed on a plan to renovate, rent and ultimately purchase the building within five years. But with the conclusion of that time period in June, they recently informed the Methodist owners of the property they would not be able to purchase it.

The Rev. Larry Homitsky of United Methodist Church Union, which owns the building, said the temple founders “gave it their all” but couldn’t build up a sustainable congregation or attract a permanent spiritual leader. He said he told them, “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

A for-sale sign is now in front of the building, and the Buddhist statues that had been out front have been removed.

The temple was based on the Buddhist traditions of Vietnam, including its iconography and Vietnamese-language liturgy. It was launched in a grand ceremony in 2017 that drew a significant crowd.

“People were willing to come for the high holy days” but weren’t attending on a more regular basis, said Rev. Homitsky. 

The previous Methodist congregation, like many historic Protestant congregations, had suffered a membership decline and closed five years ago.

United Methodist Church Union, which has been in existence for more than 120 years, has launched several social service programs and has supported numerous congregations with such things as property transactions.

Peter Smith: petersmith@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1416; Twitter @PG_PeterSmith.

First Published: July 25, 2019, 6:25 p.m.