Republic church purchases former Albertson's building

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Where once there were shoppers, soon there will be worshipers.|ret||ret||tab|

Calvary Baptist Church of Republic purchased eight acres of land, including the former Albertson's building at 804 U.S. Highway 60 West, from Warren Davis Properties for just less than $1 million July 7 after several months of offers and counter offers.|ret||ret||tab|

Warren Davis Properties will receive tax credits for the difference between the appraised value of $2.7 million and the actual sales price.|ret||ret||tab|

"With the purchase price plus the (federal) tax credits, it made it a workable deal," said Ron Shepherd, property manager with Warren Davis Properties. Davis Properties purchased the building Jan. 17 from the Albertson's corporation for an undisclosed amount.|ret||ret||tab|

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Renovation vs. construction|ret||ret||tab|

The Albertson's purchase marks a change of plans for Calvary Baptist, which had previously purchased 24 acres on Hines Street three-quarters of a mile from its existing church at Hines and Highway 60 with the intent of building a new church complex.|ret||ret||tab|

That proposal valued at $3.5 million called for a multipurpose auditorium, office and education classrooms in phase I with a full auditorium and worship center in phase II and additional classroom in phase III.|ret||ret||tab|

Construction was set to begin in 2004 until the church discovered the value and availability of the Albertson's property.|ret||ret||tab|

Denny Marr, minister of education and administration for Calvary Baptist Church, said the church is overjoyed because of the value.|ret||ret||tab|

"We were going to have a good location, but this location is actually probably better," Marr said. "And it will cost less than what building a new building would be, considerably less."|ret||ret||tab|

He added, "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and those of us who get it feel very blessed and fortunate."|ret||ret||tab|

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New location|ret||ret||tab|

Calvary's new church will comprise 73,500 square feet triple the size of the church's existing building. Calvary will initially renovate nearly 50,000 square feet of the Albertson's building, leaving the remaining interior space open for future expansion and youth activities. Project manager Jim Stufflebeam and project designer Brian Kubik, both with Sapp Design Associates Architects, are helping make the transition from grocery store to church.|ret||ret||tab|

Kubik said the renovations will cost nearly $2.8 million. Renovations will occur as money is available.|ret||ret||tab|

Changing the look of the exterior was a concern of congregation members, who feared the church would continue to look like a supermarket, Marr said. However, the design plans have allayed those concerns. |ret||ret||tab|

"We are suggesting to take all the windows out of (the old entrance ways) and (remove) the sliding doors and make it almost like a covered outside patio," Kubik said. |ret||ret||tab|

"As far as changing the image, we are going to introduce a church-like tower so it has a new identity."|ret||ret||tab|

Plans include raising the 20-foot roof an additional 10 to 15 feet, Kubik said, allowing for a stage, choir loft and room for stadium seating in the future. Seating for about 700 people will be available in the new fan-shaped auditorium, with room to expand.|ret||ret||tab|

A new interior design along with new furnishings will turn the former restaurant into a fellowship hall and kitchen. |ret||ret||tab|

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Project funding |ret||ret||tab|

To raise funds for the renovation, Calvary plans to sell the 24 acres on Hines Street it purchased in January 1996.|ret||ret||tab|

The now unneeded land is located amid several residential housing additions, and the church has already received calls from potential buyers. The church's board of trustees is currently determining a sale price. |ret||ret||tab|

Fund-raising efforts are under way, and the church hopes to raise the majority of the funds by September. If not all the renovations are covered by then, the church at least hopes to raise enough to fund essential renovations, for a late 2004 move-in date.|ret||ret||tab|

The church will put its existing location on the market as the move-in date for the new site approaches. This location was originally purchased by the church in 1968 for $4,000.|ret||ret||tab|

The church's location at Hines and U.S. Highway 60 is a highly visible piece of property, making it a tremendous source of potential revenue. Marr said Imperial Isle, on a diagonal across from the church, sold for $1 million April 22; it will be demolished and replaced by a Walgreens Drug Store.|ret||ret||tab|

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