The house at the center of debate between preservationists and St. John’s Lutheran Church is not a famous landmark or architectural rarity. But it is one stitch in the fragile fabric of North Fulton Street — fabric that has been challenged by offices, apartments and more. Preservationists are right to ask that it not be ripped out.

The Marsh-Ward House, as it’s called, looks like a home even though it hasn’t been used as a residence for many years. Keeping it in place could prevent that area’s residential presence from further unraveling.

Perhaps that should not be the concern of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The church is a major presence in downtown Salisbury. It and its members do a great deal to make this a better place to live. Investing now in a 29,000-square-foot addition for contemporary worship and youth ministry, church leaders must be disappointed to hit a snag on such a successful, positive plan.

So far it’s a small snag, as these things go. The controversy that erupted several years ago when First United Methodist Church sought to raze three building on West Fisher Street was much bigger — a protracted and public battle between Historic Salisbury Foundation and the church. The church prevailed and replaced the buildings with an attractive structure, but the controversy’s sting took some time to fade.

St. John’s officials say they have not decided what to do with the lot now occupied by the Marsh-Ward House; they only know they don’t want to maintain the house. Churches devoted to evangelism and missions can ill afford to spend precious dollars maintaining buildings for which they have no use.

Preservationists fear the house will be replaced by a parking lot. There are no protective covenants on the house to keep that from happening. Though built more than 100 years ago, the house is not on the National Register of Historic Places nor in a historic district. Preservationists can only ask that the building be saved; they’re in no position to insist.

Leaders from St. John’s and Historic Salisbury are considering possible compromises, and it would be to everyone’s benefit if they did indeed find common ground. Both institutions are pivotal to the community; both want what’s best for everyone.