Dollar Voss, formerly the Crossroads Lutheran Church, is the residence of the Voss family in the book Without Merit.
Description[]
Dollar Voss is a unique residential structure located in a small Northeast Texas town. Once the site of the bustling Crossroads Lutheran Church, the building was purchased by Barnaby Voss, who transformed it into a family home.
Name and Origin[]
The name "Dollar Voss" derives from the building's division into four distinct sections, or "quarters," combined with the family’s last name, Voss. Barnaby Voss renamed the former church after acquiring it and officially closed its doors to parishioners. The church’s marquee remains in the front yard, now bearing the name Dollar Voss.
Structure and Layout[]
- Quarter One: The main entrance opens into Quarter One, which includes the former chapel, now a living room, and a remodeled kitchen. Despite extensive renovations, the quarter retains an eight-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ on the east wall. Attempts to remove the statue proved impossible without compromising the structural integrity of the building. As a result, it remains a prominent feature of the living area, often decorated to reflect seasonal themes.
- Quarter Two: Originally three Sunday school classrooms, Quarter Two has been reconfigured into six small bedrooms. Four are occupied by Barnaby Voss’s children, one serves as a guest room, and the last functions as his unused office.
- Quarter Three: Once the church’s dining hall, this section is now the master bedroom. It is occupied by Barnaby and his current wife, Victoria Finney-Voss.
- Quarter Four (The Basement): The basement is an efficiency apartment consisting of a bathroom, a kitchenette, and a small living area. It is occupied by Vicky Voss, Barnaby’s ex-wife, who continues to live in the house despite her divorce. The arrangement has been a source of tension, particularly for Barnaby’s current wife, Victoria.