By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó A small church founded in 2006 is looking to get a new home.
Victory Baptist Church wants to move into a duplex at 111 Ross St. that was originally a church.
The China Grove Board of Aldermen will consider a request at its April 7 meeting for a conditional-use permit to allow the church in the primarily residential area. The property is currently zoned mixed residential.
The town’s Planning Board voted unanimously to support the change.
Dr. Nelson Wright, the church’s pastor, hopes to buy the duplex and convert it back to a church with a lot of work and support from the 30-member congregation and other volunteers.
Purchase of the property, from David Murdock’s Atlantic American Properties in Kannapolis, is pending the town’s action.
The Ross Street property includes a deep lot with ample off-street parking.
Currently, the church meets in rented space on Centerview Street with very limited parking available.
Wright, a pastor for 42 years, is now semi-retired.
A China Grove native, he has pastored churches across North Carolina and Virginia.
He’s counting on community support to raise the money to buy the church.
And that’s when the real challenge begins. Wright said the church will depend on volunteer labor to gut the inside of the duplex and create a sanctuary.
Plans also include building a classroom onto the rear of the building for Sunday School and youth meetings.
Wright said anyone who wants to help with donations of labor, supplies or money can contact him at 980-622-3326.
The conditional-use permit application request will be heard April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 205 Swink St.