Sandy Springs United Methodist Church announced plans to demolish its primary church campus to create space for a reimagined place of worship.
Sandy Springs UMC will demolish its campus at 86 Mount Vernon Hwy., which includes a large sanctuary, fellowship hall, classrooms, and business office. According to a news release, the new campus will be built on this site.
The church, which has offered ministry for more than 150 years, sold its nearby activity center on Aug. 1. The activity center property will be redeveloped as Hillcrest, a mixed-use residential and retail space.
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Sandy Springs UMC leaders determined the existing campus was too large for the congregation’s long-term needs and too expensive to maintain, according to the release. The sale of the activity center and the decision to demolish the main campus came after a multi-year research and revisioning process.
Proceeds from the sale of the activity center property will fund construction of a reimagined primary campus to further the church’s mission of “building life-changing relationships, nurturing spiritual growth, and fostering community service through Jesus Christ,” the release said.
A deconsecration service will be held for the primary campus buildings on Sunday, Oct. 5. On Sunday, Oct. 12, the congregation will begin at 11 a.m. weekly worship services at the Abernathy Arts Center at 254 Johnson Ferry Road in Sandy Springs, according to the release.
The Rev. Kate Floyd, senior pastor of Sandy Springs UMC, said the church has been a place where lives are changed and faith is deepened for generations.
“Though saying goodbye to our current sanctuary is difficult, we believe God is calling us into a new season. Our mission is not tied to a building—it’s rooted in Christ and in this community. We move forward with gratitude for what has been and with hope for what God will yet do,” Floyd said, according to the release.
SSUMC is working with Wesley Community Development, a North Carolina–based nonprofit. The organization helps congregations to explore redevelopment options that fully support the church’s ministry and align with its mission.
