A Dallas judge on Friday ordered a reluctant Dallas school district and an Oak Cliff preservation group to mediation in their dispute over the proposed demolition of a former church.

The school district wants to raze the vacant building at 300 E. 10th St. to make way for a new Adamson High School. The Old Oak Cliff Conservation League wants to save the 96-year-old structure and is asking a court to block the demolition at least until a review of potential alternatives.

The league contends the school district is using federal stimulus dollars "to acquire and demolish" the former Oak Cliff Christian Church. The district denied the claim in court last month and said its records would prove it.

The National Historic Preservation Act requires a formal review of the impact of any federally funded, permitted or licensed project involving property eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. A Texas Historical Commission official says the church is eligible for listing.

The two sides, each with a dozen or so supporters, were in court Friday morning for a hearing on a proposed temporary injunction to bar the demolition.

State District Judge Martin Hoffman denied a school district request to dismiss the case. He agreed to give the district and league two more weeks to supply and review financial records.

Before setting a hearing for Feb. 19, Hoffman asked whether a compromise could be reached on the "beautiful old building. ... Is there a way to include this in DISD's plans?"

After conferring briefly with school district representative Lee Simpson, attorney Robert E. Luna told the judge: "The information I have is the building has to be torn down."