Operation Rescue buys-out abortion clinic and sets up new headquarters

Wichita, Kan., Jun 29, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Operation Rescue has purchased the building that housed Central Women’s Services, an abortion clinic in Wichita. The building will be renovated and serve as Operation Rescue’s headquarters; it will also feature a memorial to the pre-born.

Operation Rescue learned in late April that Central Women’s Services had not been able to pay its rent for months and that the property was for sale. It made an offer on the building through a third party, and stipulated in the real estate contract that the current tenant not be retained.

Central Women’s Services later came up with the back rent and asked to continue its rental agreement under the new owner. However, the clinic was forced to close because the property was under contract.

“We have no doubt that if we had not moved quickly to buy that building, this abortion mill would still be in operation today,” said Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue.

The clinic had operated at the current location for 23 years. An estimated 50,000 babies were aborted there.

Operation Rescue had previously purchased an empty lot behind Central Women’s Services and placed a large billboard sign there, warning women of the dangers of abortion.

Since the clinic is now closed, Operation Rescue has donated the lot to A Better Choice, the crisis pregnancy center next door. Plans have been made to turn the lot into a park.

The grand opening of the new Operation Rescue headquarters is currently being planned.