THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290464
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 82 lines
Calvary Revival Church, whose four-year effort to find a permanent home was once opposed by thousands, finally found sanctuary Tuesday night.
The City Council voted unanimously to approve zoning and land-use changes to allow church leaders to convert and expand a former Brand Products department store into a 2,000-seat sanctuary and Christian education center on Poplar Hall Drive.
The 3.2-acre site is located off Military Highway just south of the Military Circle shopping center.
``This is a victory for us, and, I think, a victory, not just for African Americans, but for all people in the community who need a closer relationship with God,'' the church's pastor, the Rev. B. Courtney McBath, said. ``Like Jesus said, `we are the light of the world,' and this enables us to keep shining our light in Norfolk.''
Tuesday's vote concluded one of the most tumultuous political and social debates in Norfolk's recent history.
In late 1993 and early 1994, a plan by leaders of the predominantly black church to build a $7-million, 3,000-seat sanctuary near mostly white neighborhoods off East Little Creek Road was met with intense opposition.
Within weeks after the council voted 5-2 in November 1993 to accommodate the church, more than 14,000 residents signed petitions to put the issue to a citywide vote. As passions mounted, and the fight became ugly with racial overtones, the council ultimately reversed its earlier approval on a 6-1 vote.
The church, which now operates out of a former furniture store in the 1100 block of East Little Creek Road, later dropped its plans, and began searching for a new location. The city later approved an application by the church to build a school on the original site; McBath said Tuesday he expects the school, geared toward children in elementary grades, will open next month.
As they voted Tuesday, council members praised McBath's congregation for its perseverance, and they embraced the church's new plans to renovate and enlarge the former department store on Poplar Hall Drive.
``The tolerance this church has exhibited, and the steadfastness with which they've pursued their goal is admirable,'' Councilman Mason C. Andrews said.
``I'm just so proud that you stuck to find a place in Norfolk,'' Councilman Paul R. Riddick said.
In the battle over the East Little Creek Road site, opponents had argued against the proposed sanctuary on grounds that it was too large for the site, and also would have multiplied traffic and removed property from the city's tax rolls, since churches are tax exempt.
Three people representing the Lake Taylor and Sherwood Forest civic leagues resurrected the tax argument Tuesday, saying prime commercial real estate shouldn't be used for a church.
``We're taking too much land off the tax rolls,'' said Daniel Montague, president of the Sherwood Forest group, who said the city had been receiving $10,000 in taxes from the site.
The church had the support of neighborhood groups closest to the new location - the Poplar Hall and the Glenrock civic leagues, city officials said.
McBath and council members said the services provided by the church were also valuable.
``In terms of taxes, how can you measure the value to the tax rolls, when they are rehabbing people out in the street,'' said Councilman Herbert C. Collins, referring to the church's outreach work that includes efforts to combat teenage pregnancy and drug use.
In blessing the church's plans, the council changed the site's zoning and land-use from corridor commercial to institutional. The approval is based on a series of conditions, including restrictions on parking and requirements that the site be landscaped.
The church will spend at least $2 million alone on renovations, McBath said. The expansion will more than double the size of the existing two-story, 25,000 square-foot building, an architect representing the church said.
About 30 jubilant church members who attended Tuesday's meeting hugged and clasped hands after the council's vote.
``It's just wonderful,'' said Trenace Lewis, a charter member. ``I always knew we would (find a home). I just didn't know when.'' ILLUSTRATION: GARY C. KNAPP
The Rev. B. Courtney McBath, at center, accepts congratulations from
supporters after the Norfolk City Council voted Tuesday to allow a
former store site to be zoned for the church of which he is pastor.
VP Map
KEYWORDS: CALVARY REVIVAL CHURCH NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL