INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A century-old church that has served as a gateway to a small community just east of Indianapolis could face the wrecking ball unless preservationists are able to save it.

Leaders of the St. John United Church of Christ have an agreement to sell the Cumberland property to Pittsburgh-based grocer Giant Eagle for a convenience store and gas station.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reports (http://bit.ly/16zRWxb ) the plan has sparked a “Save German Church'' Facebook page.

Cumberland Town Manager Andrew Klinger says the Giant Eagle plan doesn't jibe with the town's comprehensive plan. He says the town is exploring whether it can purchase the land itself.

The Rev. Jimmy Watson says the church's membership has fallen and that the building needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs.