He kept me on the phone for another 15 minutes telling me his life story and trying to get me to attend his church.

I don't see any comps for churches that have sold and I know the owners are in distress since the taxes have not been paid for the past few years and the building appears vacant. 

Gathering in large groups may pose an issue but if there are only a few of us we could meet in the food court....or bring a chair grab a coffee and sit in the big field between the church and the commissary.

They don't have to leave any assets to heirs, but can leave it to anyone or a charity/church/organization if they choose.If there is no will, then lots of different things can happen.   

Many times, when a tenant had an illness and could not pay the rent they got the money from someone else including many times when the church they were affiliated with paid their rent.As a landlord, you cannot play god with your tenant by deviating from your own set of rules and unless you are god you won't ever know whether or not your tenants have the money they say they don't have and if you play god with your tenants then your tenants will never seek their rent payments form friends, relatives, their boss, or their church.Your tenant will tell their self, "my landlord understands my situation and doesn't care if I pay my rent".

Pregnancy resource center, my local church, rental assistance programs, Young Life, free housing and financial donations to a food pantry, buying 4H animals at the county fair, kids sports, Habitat for Humanity, etc.I recommend separating business and charity.

We have taken churches in tax sale.

“By seeking civil penalties, the city seeks to reverse any windfall that landlords may receive from their bad acts, and to broadcast a message that other landlords think twice before illegally displacing tenants,” the city said in a statement.The city is also working with the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James, which is probing the actions of Brooks-Church and Gendville." 

Not even Legal to do anything.Maybe that freckled teen in the Church pew will stop this Cold.   

If businesses and retail are starting to pop up it will only be a matter of time until the surrounding area turns around a bit more.I think making posts like you are and spreading the good word will help, but also make some connections with the local neighborhood groups, churches, and building groups might be something to look into.