NEWS

A peek at priest's mansion, as he awaits embezzlement trial

The entrance to the Williamston, Michigan home of the Rev. Jon Wehrle features a gate anchored by two stone columns. The Catholic priest is accused of embezzling $5 million from St. Martha's Church in Okemos over at least 19 years.
The entrance to the Williamston, Michigan home of the Rev. Jon Wehrle features a gate anchored by two stone columns. The Catholic priest is accused of embezzling $5 million from St. Martha's Church in Okemos over at least 19 years.
Robert Killips, AP
The Rev. Jon Wehrle appears in court for a preliminary hearing on embezzlement allegations June 1, 2017, in Mason, Michigan. Wehrle, who had construction skills, built his 11,300-square-foot home in 2009.
The Rev. Jon Wehrle appears in court for a preliminary hearing on embezzlement allegations June 1, 2017, in Mason, Michigan. Wehrle, who had construction skills, built his 11,300-square-foot home in 2009.
Julia Nagy, AP
A small outbuilding sits beside the path leading to the mansion.
A small outbuilding sits beside the path leading to the mansion.
Michigan State Police
The front entrance to Rev. Wehrle's mansion is shown. The house has an elevator, indoor swimming pool and wine room. Among the furnishings are three pipe organs.
The front entrance to Rev. Wehrle's mansion is shown. The house has an elevator, indoor swimming pool and wine room. Among the furnishings are three pipe organs.
Michigan State Police
Michigan State Police officials say the priest paid for work and materials for the home with money stolen from St. Martha's Church in Okemos. An audit found $5 million missing from church coffers, they said.
Michigan State Police officials say the priest paid for work and materials for the home with money stolen from St. Martha's Church in Okemos. An audit found $5 million missing from church coffers, they said.
Michigan State Police
The Wehrle house has a cornerstone marking its construction.
The Wehrle house has a cornerstone marking its construction.
Michigan State Police
A view of the back of the house.
A view of the back of the house.
Michigan State Police
A pond is framed outside the back of the house.
A pond is framed outside the back of the house.
Michigan State Police
An elevated walkway connects an outbuilding to the main house.
An elevated walkway connects an outbuilding to the main house.
Michigan State Police
Stained glass windows of birds and foliage adorn the front doors.
Stained glass windows of birds and foliage adorn the front doors.
Michigan State Police
A great room includes wood paneling, a pipe organ and a mezzanine.
A great room includes wood paneling, a pipe organ and a mezzanine.
Michigan State Police
A brightly colored ceiling is seen over the mezzanine level of the great room.
A brightly colored ceiling is seen over the mezzanine level of the great room.
Michigan State Police
A detail of the great room.
A detail of the great room.
Michigan State Police
Built-in cabinets line one wall of the great room.
Built-in cabinets line one wall of the great room.
Michigan State Police
Wehrle, who plays the organ, said he wanted to build a house big enough to hold three theater pipe organs he had bought from around the country.
Wehrle, who plays the organ, said he wanted to build a house big enough to hold three theater pipe organs he had bought from around the country.
Michigan State Police
The living room had to be large enough to allow the sound from 32 sets of pipes to unfurl, Wehrle said.
The living room had to be large enough to allow the sound from 32 sets of pipes to unfurl, Wehrle said.
Michigan State Police
The Rev. Wehrle's indoor pool.
The Rev. Wehrle's indoor pool.
Michigan State Police
One of the bathrooms features stained glass windows.
One of the bathrooms features stained glass windows.
Michigan State Police
The kitchen in Rev. Wehrle's mansion.
The kitchen in Rev. Wehrle's mansion.
Michigan State Police
The kitchen in Rev. Wehrle's mansion.
The kitchen in Rev. Wehrle's mansion.
Michigan State Police
The house has eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.
The house has eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.
Michigan State Police
Stuffed toys adorn a painted dresser.
Stuffed toys adorn a painted dresser.
Michigan State Police
Another living area inside the Wehrle home.
Another living area inside the Wehrle home.
Michigan State Police
The mansion has an elevator.
The mansion has an elevator.
Michigan State Police
Stained glass is found in several rooms of the house.
Stained glass is found in several rooms of the house.
Michigan State Police
Fireplaces are in a number of rooms.
Fireplaces are in a number of rooms.
Michigan State Police
One of several pipe organs in the home.
One of several pipe organs in the home.
Michigan State Police
One room has an antique organ.
One room has an antique organ.
Michigan State Police
Yet another organ in the home.
Yet another organ in the home.
Michigan State Police
The home also has a grand piano.
The home also has a grand piano.
Michigan State Police
An elevated walkway connects an outbuilding with the main house.
An elevated walkway connects an outbuilding with the main house.
Michigan State Police
An exterior window is made of stained glass.
An exterior window is made of stained glass.
Michigan State Police
A section of the back of the house.
A section of the back of the house.
Michigan State Police
A view of the back of the house.
A view of the back of the house.
Michigan State Police
A barn-like outbuilding on the Wehrle property.
A barn-like outbuilding on the Wehrle property.
Michigan State Police
Another barn-like outbuilding is connected to the main house via an elevated walkway.
Another barn-like outbuilding is connected to the main house via an elevated walkway.
Michigan State Police
Another outbuilding on the property.
Another outbuilding on the property.
Michigan State Police
A ramp leads to a viewing platform beside the pond.
A ramp leads to a viewing platform beside the pond.
Michigan State Police
Meanwhile, at St. Martha Parish in Okemos, which has a school as well as a church, "It's shocking, the whole thing," said church member Reba Dean. "We're all kind of upset about it."
Meanwhile, at St. Martha Parish in Okemos, which has a school as well as a church, "It's shocking, the whole thing," said church member Reba Dean. "We're all kind of upset about it."
The Detroit News
The Rev. Jon Wehrle is seen in church before his arrest. He was charged with six counts of embezzlement last year and forced to resign. His trial is scheduled to begin April 9 in Ingham County Circuit Court.
The Rev. Jon Wehrle is seen in church before his arrest. He was charged with six counts of embezzlement last year and forced to resign. His trial is scheduled to begin April 9 in Ingham County Circuit Court.
The Detroit News