ATLANTA,None — Another predominantly black Atlanta church is facing foreclosure, and it may not be the only one. A coalition of clergy said dozens of other small churches may be facing the same crisis, and they want banks to do more to keep the congregations open.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Richard Elliot visited the old Mount Gilead Church -- now the Higher Ground Empowerment Center -- on Tuesday. Elliot was at the same church in 2008 after a tornado nearly destroyed the 108-year-old building. The Higher Ground Empowerment Center looks whole, and from a construction standpoint it is. But from an economic standpoint, it is not.
"They've given us until Aug. 31," said Pastor Dexter Johnson.
Johnson said the bank that holds their mortgage note wants them to pay up or move out.
He said they are trying to work with the lender to modify the loan, but after losing so much, including membership, to the tornado and economic storm, it will be tough.
"So we made an offer to the bank and we're very confident that they're going to accept that," said Johnson.
But Johnson and leaders of other predominantly black churches believe banks are putting unfair pressure on them.
Two weeks ago, a bank evicted Darryl Winston's southeast Atlanta Church. Marshals dumped the church belongings in the parking lot.
Winston said 30 to 40 other Atlanta churches may soon be facing the same kind of crisis.
"We're not just going to allow the bank to come along and tell us they're going to foreclose on us," said Winston.
Johnson's congregation just moved back into their building eight months ago. He is hopeful they will be able to stay and that the bank will give them more time to do that.
"We need them to know we don't like the timeline that they're placing on us because we know there's more to us than just brick and mortar," said Johnson.
Johnson said he expects to hear back from the bank on their latest offer by the end of the week.
WSBTV
