32nd Street Baptist Church: Difference between revisions

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The vacant church building was purchased in [[2004]] by [[Christy Hotz]] and Albany, Georgia attorney Bob Beauchamp. They worked with Joey Longoria of [[Sims Architectural Studio]] to redesign the space into eight luxury condominium apartments featuring double-height ceilings and tall windows. Although most of the pews were sold, eight were salvaged and will be included in the new lofts. A stained glass window from the church was donated to the [[Birmingham Civil Rights Institute]]. The condominiums were marketed under the name '''Rayfield Legacy''', but the project was left incomplete and the building was put back on the market.
The vacant church building was purchased in [[2004]] by [[Christy Hotz]] and Albany, Georgia attorney Bob Beauchamp. They worked with Joey Longoria of [[Sims Architectural Studio]] to redesign the space into eight luxury condominium apartments featuring double-height ceilings and tall windows. Although most of the pews were sold, eight were salvaged and will be included in the new lofts. A stained glass window from the church was donated to the [[Birmingham Civil Rights Institute]]. The condominiums were marketed under the name '''Rayfield Legacy''', but the project was left incomplete and the building was put back on the market.


In May [[2009]] [[Terry Lee]] of [[Naia Corp.]] announced plans to purchase the building and adjacent property for their offices. They plan to renovate the church for a technology education center. Naia's $1.5 million investment is being assisted by a $414,000 two-year low interest loan from the City of Birmingham.
In May [[2009]] [[Terry Lee]] of the [[Naia Corporation]] announced plans for his development company [[Twin Oaks Investment Group]], to purchase the church as well as adjacent property for their headquarters office. Naia's $1.5 million investment is being assisted by a $414,000 two-year low interest loan from the City of Birmingham. Renovation of the church is part of a long-term plan for a technology education center.  


==Present congregation==
==Present congregation==

Revision as of 11:59, 28 February 2010

32nd Street Baptist Church photographed July 21, 2005

The 32nd Street Baptist Church is a former church building, located at 518 32nd Street South in the Lakeview district which is presently being converted to loft apartments. The church served a predominantly-black congregation organized in the early part of the 20th century as the Rising Star Baptist Church until the congregation relocated in 1995 to the Powderly neighborhood.

During the Civil rights movement, the church served as a meeting place for the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights.

1924 Building

The building was constructed in 1924 to designs by African American architect Wallace Rayfield, replacing an earlier frame structure that was erected on the site in 1910.

The building is a stop on the Freedom Trail and has been under consideration for National Historic Landmark status. It was measured and photographed in 1996 by Richard K. Anderson and Jet Lowe for the Historic American Buildings Survey.

The vacant church building was purchased in 2004 by Christy Hotz and Albany, Georgia attorney Bob Beauchamp. They worked with Joey Longoria of Sims Architectural Studio to redesign the space into eight luxury condominium apartments featuring double-height ceilings and tall windows. Although most of the pews were sold, eight were salvaged and will be included in the new lofts. A stained glass window from the church was donated to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The condominiums were marketed under the name Rayfield Legacy, but the project was left incomplete and the building was put back on the market.

In May 2009 Terry Lee of the Naia Corporation announced plans for his development company Twin Oaks Investment Group, to purchase the church as well as adjacent property for their headquarters office. Naia's $1.5 million investment is being assisted by a $414,000 two-year low interest loan from the City of Birmingham. Renovation of the church is part of a long-term plan for a technology education center.

Present congregation

The congregation of the 32nd Street Baptist Church moved to 3012 Dowell Avenue Southwest in Powderly. The 1,000-seat building was closed and put up for sale in 2009 after the church failed to keep up with its mortgage payments.

Pastors

References

  • Brock, Glenny. (April 6, 2006) "At home in the Lord's house: Historic church turns residential in the Lakeview district." Birmingham Weekly.
  • "Developer gives stained-glass window to Civil Rights Institute" (August 5, 2005) Birmingham Business Journal.
  • Anderson, Richard K. (1996) "32nd Street Baptist Church Recording Project". Historic American Buildings Survey. National Park Service. Sheet 1 of 1.
  • Garrison, Greg (March 8, 2009) "Birmingham area churches struggle in tough times." Birmingham News
  • Cooper, Lauren B. (May 5, 2009 ) "Naia tech firm to renovate historic church for offices." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Kent, Dawn (February 28, 2010) "Birmingham developer plans to give former Southside church life as office, training space." Birmingham News

External links

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