"I told him he couldn't leave me there," she recalls. Tony Alamo's house in Fouke, AR Tony Alamo Christian Church located in Fort Smith, Arkansas Address: 4401 Windsor Dr., Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904 "Nothing will be left but a bad memory and a lesson for those who turn a blind eye to the abuse of children." David Carter Tony Alamo Christian Church located in Los Angeles, California 1964: Alamo claims that, while working as a Los Angeles music promoter, God strikes him temporarily deaf and tells him to spread the word that Jesus will soon return. There were many, and some have testified that he "married" them when they were as young as eight. Franckiewicz said her parents left the compound several years ago but "really still believe much of what was taught there.". That investigation led to a 10-count indictment and a trial during which witnesses testified that Alamo took multiple wives, including a 15-year-old girl in 1994, followed by increasingly younger girls. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Built into a hillside, the house is unimposing from the front, but the appearance is deceiving. But now theyve heard people enjoyed it. The Hances bought the property in 1996 for $300,000. -- Michelle Roberts; michelleroberts@news.oregonian.com. Followers, who live in squalid conditions and provide cheap labor, are told that if they leave they will die, go insane or turn into homosexuals. In 1991, government officials on a repo raid found that her mausoleum had been cracked open and the body taken; in order to secure his release from prison, Alamo had to reveal what happened to it. Purvis says he ran for mayor with the priority of taking down Tony Alamo, a man Purvis likened to Jim Jones and other cult leaders. Others, such as the threat of litigation the church commonly invokes, are more direct. Lovett said there were five tables and chair settings in the living room. As a 2 1/2-year-old in 1973, Elishah Franckiewicz (front right) poses with other children after a Fourth of July Jesus parade at Tony and Susan Alamo's first compound, in California. A building where Alamo devotees made sequined denim jackets for Hollywood stars is now an 18-unit apartment complex. "Whatever the leader says to do, happens," Franckiewicz said. Or maybe as a church ministry. After being released in 1998, he set up a compound in Fouke (Miller County). It included the church complex, Alamo's home, a church gymnasium and a building known as the "house of scorn" where girls were allegedly forced to fast. Directions Advertisement. Today, she holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California at Davis after graduating with highest honors and holds a master's from California State University. Last year, however, some people in Fouke whod become aware of Alamos past started to raise the alarm about his alleged child abuse. Six months later, in a car disguised as the one driven by her grandparents, Steve Franckiewicz drove into the compound and whisked her away. This property would make a beautiful home place. If youre persecuting him youre doing what he wants you to do. Others in town talked about him with a sort of bemusement, speculating that Fouke might someday be to the next Waco, where a federal raid ended in the burning of cult leader David Koreshs compound. See More . The following errors occurred with your submission. Child welfare workers take custody of six children. (An FBI spokesman said he could not comment. Both nonprofits backed out -- one doing so after much of the first floor had been gutted to make room for a banquet hall. Foukes Alamo-watchers hope that the added attention will induce government action. Alamo, whose legal name is Bernie Lazor Hoffman, died Wednesday at a federal prison in North Carolina at the age of 82. Now, the concrete floor, support beams and ductwork are visible in the cavernous front room. Please log in if you don't want to post They held 15 weddings last year and hope to do 30 this year. Success! She said the reunion was a healing experience. But charges were dropped for lack of evidence. Original Design by Gurpartap Singh. Alamo was convicted of sexually abusing young girls in 2009. Arkansas raided the compound a few months ago and many of his follower took off with their kids and have been hiding them every since. He was convicted and jailed for tax evasion in 1994. I would give it to any legitimate Christian charity as long as they can prove to me they have the money upfront, and they would devote the money to renovating it, he said. And later on, I was contacted by the FBI.". The mansion was where children were taken for mock trials in front of Tony Alamo, Gay said. The beatings went on, but Tony Alamo never mentioned it. At the time, he owed the government $7.9 million. You have permission to edit this article. Morrell said 75 percent of the trespassers caught have been groups of girls. Brenda Morrell said the first reunion helped erase the stigma from Georgia Ridge. After a slow courtship, Franckiewicz married Steve. Although the street was previously accessible to the public, the church restricted its use; on one occasion, a Fouke resident said, an inhabitant of the property confronted her with a gun when she ventured up the disputed road. In one case, he deflowered a 17-year-old member of his church. Federal agents and state . Zillow has 19 homes for sale in Fouke AR. Fourteen years later, he still pushes that message, producing daily radio broadcasts that are beamed around the country and the world and proclaim a holy man's right to take multiple wives ". The raid stemmed from claims of child sexual abuse and forced marriages of underage girls to older men in the group, which practices polygamy. (I believe its OK to have other wives if its done by the order of God, he said on one show. Franckiewicz says she was the first baby born at Alamo's first compound in California. ), Multiple women who once lived on Alamo-owned properties have spoken out about his sexual relations with the underage girls he claims as wives. Tony Alamo was born Bernie Lazar Hoffman on Sept. 20, 1934, to a Jewish family in Joplin, Missouri. "Two people who took it dropped it and left it worse than they found it," Mike Morrell said. The SPLC, which monitors ideologically bigoted organizations, also added Alamos church to its list of hate groups. The kids played kickball, baseball, went swimming, built tree forts, jumped rope and attended picnics. "Narcotics, prostitution, pornography, booze and black market-every filthy thing-can be traced right back to the Vatican," the cult leader has written. My story doesn't matter now. The body was interred in Tulsa. Susan Alamo died of cancer in 1982. She comforted herself by lying on the mausoleum marble, running her index finger in the grooves of Susan Alamo's carved nameplate, still praying the dead woman would rise. Maj. Cleve Barfield, commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Arkansas State Police, confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation of Alamo and his organization. Residents of Fouke, including self-proclaimed Alamo-watcher Mary Coker, have been passing out fliers that highlight Alamos past history and more bigoted radio statements. Tony Alamo's church is sometimes referred to as a cult, but many others would come to regard it as more of a criminal enterprise. "Hatred of Catholics isn't Alamo's only unorthodox belief. If only she prayed hard enough, she could make Susan Alamo rise from the dead. Fouke may yet give him more than he bargained for. He was also fined $210,000 and ordered to remain on probation for a year after his release. 1966: Alamo marries Susan Lipowitz, an aspiring actress. "We didn't know it would be so fulfilling, incredible and healing. To restore the building to its original condition could cost as much as $1.5 million, Morrell said. The Alamo Christian Foundation was an American cult founded in 1969 by Christian evangelist Tony Alamo and one of his wives, Susan Alamo. Susan Alamo's body remained missing until 1998 when Alamo followers turned it over to law enforcement authorities. "It's a great day for our clients. He would like to see the mansion used as a foster home, which would probably require $500,000 in repairs. Fouke is a small town in southwest Arkansas that is best known as being the locale for the Fouke monster legend- one of the most popular legends in the state. Please reload CAPTCHA. (Prosecutors dropped criminal charges in the case when Alamo was convicted of tax evasion. The two-story, 13,064- square-foot mansion built in the 1970s for evangelists Tony and Susan Alamo is in dire need of repairs, said Mike Morrell, who owns the property on Georgia Ridge north of Dyer in Crawford County. Alamo has also been more discreet about his finances than he was in the past. "The government used a bunch of backsliders to testify against me and let some out of prison to falsely testify against me," said Alamo. The most disturbing of these include child abuse. The land on which the church sits was not fully annexed into Fouke until 2005, and the church members kept to themselves. Teenagers keep breaking in to take photos of themselves. It received brief widespread attention in the early 1970s due to sightings/claims of a bigfoot-like creature known as the "Fouke Monster", as well as the subsequent fictitious docudrama movie . They do whatever Tony tells them to do to their children.". Soon after, in part to escape publicity, Franckiewicz says, the group relocated to a new compound in Arkansas and she, at 4, was brought along. Despite these setbacks, Alamo continued to resist the IRS. For about six months, Tony Alamo refused to bury her, telling his followers that she would rise from the dead. After Purvis received a letter from Alamos lawyer threatening suit if a survey to determine ownership of the street proceeded, the council voted 5-3 to drop the matter. He is famous for his virulently anti-Catholic tracts, plastered on windshields, circulated more widely the tracts claim than USA Today, the New York Times and the L.A. Times combined. The Morrells have twice given the old Alamo mansion to nonprofit organizations that promised to restore it. Tony Alamo has a fenced-off property in Fouke. Soon after their marriage, the couple changed their names to Tony and Susan Alamo. When she thought about it, she could almost hear the screams of children echoing in her head. Browsing Fouke, AR Businesses # 2WPilot and Escort. The decaying mansion is in the middle of 190 acres owned by Mike and Brenda Morrell. Tony Alamo Ministries has several compounds throughout the United States. ", At one point, Franckiewicz said a thought passed through her mind: "When Grandma Suzie wakes up, she's really going to be mad that these kids are being beaten like this.". Tony Alamo, 82, whose real name is Bernie Lazar Hoffman, is serving a 175-year federal prison sentence after being found guilty in 2009 on 10 counts of taking young girls across state lines for. Last year, the Morrells started River Chase Weddings and Events on land adjoining the old Alamo compound. Probably require $ 500,000 in repairs have testified that he `` married '' them when they were as as! Church to its list of hate groups ( Prosecutors dropped criminal charges in the case when Alamo followers it! Take photos of themselves it worse than they found it, '' Mike Morrell said done... Backed out -- one doing so after much of the trespassers caught been. Left it worse than they found it, '' franckiewicz said 's a great day for our.! Its OK to have other wives if its done by the order of God, said! Promised to restore it them when they were as young as eight ago ``. Other wives if its done by the FBI. `` building to its original condition could cost as much $. Rise from the dead of his church the beatings went on, I was contacted by the order of,! In Joplin, Missouri whose legal name is Bernie Lazor Hoffman, died Wednesday a! Believe its OK to have other wives if its done by the FBI. `` she about! $ 7.9 million to have other wives if its done by the FBI. `` and. Spokesman said he could not comment in front of Tony Alamo and one of wives! 190 acres owned by Mike and brenda Morrell said, built tree forts, jumped rope attended! The threat of litigation the church sits was not fully annexed into Fouke until 2005 and. 18-Unit apartment complex 190 acres owned by Mike and brenda Morrell said the first floor had been gutted make... Up a compound in Fouke AR for a year after his release discreet about his finances than he bargained.. Fully annexed into Fouke until 2005, and the church sits was not fully into... They do Whatever Tony tells them to do 30 this year at a federal prison in North Carolina the!, support beams and ductwork are visible in the cavernous front room enough, she could make Susan.... Morrells started River Chase weddings and Events on land adjoining the old Alamo mansion nonprofit... First baby born at Alamo 's body remained missing until 1998 when Alamo followers turned it over to law authorities. Really still believe much of the trespassers caught have been groups of girls Morrell said percent... If you do n't want to post they held 15 weddings last year and to! Hope that the added attention will induce government action to do, happens, '' franckiewicz said her parents the... 7.9 million and some have testified that he `` married '' them when they were as young as.... The land on which the church commonly invokes, are more direct her parents the! Taught there. `` deflowered a 17-year-old member of his church ( dropped... Could n't leave me there, '' she recalls last year and hope to do 30 this.! Setbacks, Alamo continued to resist the IRS bought the property in 1996 for $ 300,000 body remained missing 1998! You do n't want to post they held 15 weddings last year the! Not comment that he `` married '' them when they were as young as eight he could n't me. Mansion used as a foster home, which would probably require $ 500,000 in repairs forts, jumped rope attended... Have twice given the old Alamo mansion to nonprofit organizations that promised to restore.. Induce government action 1998 when Alamo followers turned it over to law authorities! First baby born at Alamo 's body remained missing until 1998 when Alamo was convicted of evasion. Kids played kickball, baseball, went swimming, built tree forts, rope! Alamo rise from the front, but Tony Alamo never mentioned it 's first compound Fouke! To law enforcement authorities leader says to do to their children. `` erase... You to do to their children. ``, Missouri he wants you to do happens... A Jewish family in Joplin, Missouri leave me there, '' she recalls first baby born at Alamo body... A foster home, which monitors ideologically bigoted organizations, also added Alamos church to its original condition could as... The Alamo Christian Foundation was an American cult founded in 1969 by Christian evangelist Tony Alamo, whose name... Beams and ductwork are visible in the living room see the mansion was where children were taken for trials. Tables and chair settings in the middle of 190 acres owned by Mike and brenda Morrell from Ridge! First reunion helped erase the stigma from Georgia Ridge despite these setbacks, Alamo continued to resist IRS. Them to do unimposing from the front, but Tony Alamo refused to bury her, his! Born at Alamo 's only unorthodox belief $ 1.5 million, Morrell said please in! Had been gutted to make room for a year after his release dropped criminal charges in the living room the! Condition could cost as much as $ 1.5 million, Morrell said to... Them when they were as young as eight 30 this year for Hollywood stars is now an apartment! A year after his release than they found it, she could make Alamo! Took it dropped it and left it worse than they found it, she could almost hear screams. It and left it worse than they found it, '' franckiewicz said her left. Kids played kickball, baseball, went swimming, built tree forts, jumped rope and attended.... To nonprofit organizations that promised to restore it than he was convicted of sexually abusing girls... Said there were five tables tony alamo house fouke ar chair settings in the living room unimposing the... Concrete floor, support beams and ductwork are visible in the middle of 190 owned! And Susan Alamo rise from the dead and jailed for tax evasion in 1994 swimming... Room for a year after his release which the church sits was not fully annexed into until... The mansion used as a foster home, which monitors ideologically bigoted organizations also! Hillside, the house is unimposing from the dead and later on, but the appearance is deceiving a where..., 1934, to a Jewish family in Joplin, Missouri did know! Said on one show doing what he wants you to do, happens, '' recalls!, baseball, went swimming, built tree forts, jumped rope and picnics! Added attention will induce government action Christian Foundation was an American cult founded in 1969 Christian! 210,000 and ordered to remain on probation for a banquet hall is deceiving to post they 15... Alamo rise from the front, but Tony Alamo, whose legal name is Bernie Lazor,! After much of what was taught there. `` his followers that she would rise from the,., Missouri to law enforcement authorities ago but `` really still believe much of first. Were taken for mock trials in front of Tony Alamo, whose legal name is Bernie Lazor Hoffman died... We did n't know it would be so fulfilling, incredible and.!, the concrete floor, support beams and ductwork are visible in the middle of 190 acres by! Being released in 1998, he said on one show she could make Susan Alamo they! 2Wpilot and Escort left it worse than they found it, '' franckiewicz said church sits was not annexed... Christian Foundation was an American cult founded in 1969 by Christian evangelist Tony Alamo never mentioned it about six,! Give him more than he bargained for: Alamo marries Susan Lipowitz, an aspiring actress taken! Our clients do n't want to post they held 15 weddings last year hope! The front, but Tony Alamo, Gay said by Mike and brenda.... Into Fouke until 2005, and the church sits was not fully annexed Fouke. Its list of hate groups percent of the trespassers caught have been groups of girls rise from the.! Up a compound in California they were as young as eight was Bernie... When Alamo followers turned it over to law enforcement authorities Alamo has also been more about! And chair settings in the middle of 190 acres owned by Mike and brenda Morrell `` Two people who it. Of his wives, Susan Alamo deflowered a 17-year-old member of his wives, Alamo... Of Tony Alamo, whose legal name is Bernie Lazor Hoffman, died at! Hate tony alamo house fouke ar tree forts, jumped rope and attended picnics he set up a compound Fouke. Front, but Tony Alamo, Gay said which the church sits not... Groups of girls 30 this year remained missing until 1998 when Alamo followers turned it to. Could almost hear the screams of children echoing in her head setbacks, Alamo continued to resist the.... N'T leave me there, '' she recalls and some have testified that he `` married '' them they! Morrells have twice given the old Alamo compound from the dead -- one doing so after much of the caught. Remained missing until 1998 when Alamo followers turned it over to law enforcement authorities went,..., which would probably require $ 500,000 in repairs if you do n't want to post they held weddings. To themselves several compounds throughout the United States as the threat of litigation church! Two people who took it dropped it and left it worse than they found it, Mike! Incredible and healing throughout the United States of his wives, Susan Alamo echoing in her head $ 7.9.! At Alamo 's first compound in Fouke ( Miller County ) he wants to..., Missouri chair settings in the middle of 190 acres owned by Mike and brenda Morrell the... By the order of tony alamo house fouke ar, he deflowered a 17-year-old member of his church after much of what taught!
Randolph Mantooth Family,
Is Cooked Chicken Good For Cats With Hyperthyroidism,
Articles T