Wiseman sues church

CHARLESTON - The three wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus.

Wiseman Construction simply brought a lawsuit to a church.

Wiseman Construction of Charleston filed a lawsuit July 11 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Cross Worship Center in Elkview, alleging it has not paid its construction bill.

It also lists Pastor Bryan Krepps as a defendant, and Wiseman says it is owed more than $70,000.

"Despite complete contractual performance on the part of the plaintiff, the defendant ... failed and refused to pay unto the plaintiff sums due and owing for work and materials provided by the plaintiff," the complaint says.

It adds that the original lump sum price of the project was approximately $83,000, but the eventual bill was $110,336.46 after the orders were changed.

Of that amount, Wiseman says Cross Worship Center has paid $37,054.23. It is seeking the $73,282.23 remaining on the bill.

Wiseman has also filed a Notice of Mechanic's Lien on the property with the Kanawha County Commission.

Truman Griffith of Charleston law firm Johnstone, Gabhart and Prim is representing Wiseman.

Judge Irene Berger has been assigned the case.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-1360