Holy Land USA in Va. to be sold

LYNCHBURG, Va., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The non-profit group that operated Holy Land USA in Virginia for the past two years has closed the biblical tourist attraction and says it plans to sell it.

Mike Dodson, the president of Holy Land USA Inc., blamed the slow economy, the Lynchburg (Va.) News and Advance reported Monday. He said even with volunteer help costs have been rising and revenue shrinking.

"We had many people saved there," Dodson, pastor of Tree of Life Ministries in Lynchburg, said. "If it wasn't for the financial side, you couldn't find a more rewarding ministry."

Holy Land was founded in 1971 by Robert Johnson, a Bedford, Va., businessman, as a memorial to his son. Tourists who visited were taken through a recreation of events in the life of Jesus Christ.

While Dodson hopes a buyer will continue operating Holy Land, the 180-acre property, which includes a large house, chapel and recreation center, is to be auctioned in five lots. The sale is scheduled for Dec. 16 and is being handled by TRF Auctions in Lynchburg.

"It's a gorgeous piece of property," said Mike Torrence, a TRF partner.