Local

Source: Mount Vernon Baptist tour East Point site for possible move

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has confirmed through multiple sources that Mount Vernon Baptist Church officials recently toured Southwest Christian Church at Interstate 285 and Washington Road in East Point for a potential relocation.

Mount Vernon must vacate its current structure by the middle of March to make room for the construction of a new Falcons stadium.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Jim Strickland has learned there are concerns the East Point location may not be seen as temporary solution, but a permanent fix.

"The people that would be coming from Decatur going all the way to East Point, that's going to be a lot to them," said church member James Sellers.

Sellers is a 30-year member of Mount Vernon and opposed the sale of the current sanctuary.

A combination of state and Atlanta Falcon money is paying $14.5 million for the building.

"To spend so much time degrading Mount Vernon's current structure, then go out and buy a used facility, it's like it was misrepresented," he said.

The East Point church and its 10 acres are for sale, with a list price of $5.9 million.

Mount Vernon attorney Bill Montgomery says the church is looking for both temporary and permanent quarters. He would not comment on any individual properties church officials may have seen.