Historic church receives permit to rebuild

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Posted January 19, 2022 | By Matthew Cretul
matthew@ocalagazette.com

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) approved a special use permit (SUP) at their Jan. 18 regular meeting that will allow Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church to rebuild the sanctuary that was lost in a fire.

The church, built on a 21-acre property at 8750 W. Hwy 326, was burned in a 2016 fire and later was demolished. As a result, the congregation was forced to hold open-air services until October of last year when they then transitioned to holding virtual services.

The Rev. Jason Sims said the SUP will allow the church to once again hold services on the grounds, something the congregation is excited about.

“I think the people will be happy, and having the people start out being on the grounds just gets them mentally prepared when the building comes,” he said.

He said getting the predominantly African-American congregation, which pre-COVID numbered somewhere between 80 to 100 members, back on the grounds is step one; step two is getting the new buildings built.

Initially, the church was to be rebuilt on its existing site, where it was founded more than 140 years ago, on the southern portion of their property adjacent to a cemetery and zoned A-1 (General Agriculture).

A plan was approved in 2018 to redevelop the church in its prior location under historic recognition of the original church parcel. The approved plan would not have necessitated a SUP. But, according to Rachel Drayton, the chair of the church’s building committee, who spoke at the MCBOCC meeting, they noticed drainage issues around the initially selected site causing them to look elsewhere on their property for a suitable location.

They found an appropriate location on the northern portion of the property, however, it was outside of the initially approved area, thus requiring the church to apply for the SUP.

Sims said the process of applying for the permit was smooth and the county was helpful along the way.

“Code Enforcement has been great with making sure we have the right contacts and get the right information,” he said before the meeting.

The location of the church falls within the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA), an area created by the MCBOCC in 2005, and which is designed to protect the area’s natural resources and scenic landscapes. At the same meeting, the MCBOCC approved additions to language designed to strengthen the preservation efforts and control additional growth in the area.

Busy Shires, the director of conservation strategies for Horse Farms Forever (HFF), a group dedicated to preserving the land within the FPA and which proposed the additional language, said HFF is supportive of the church’s rebuild.

“I actually reviewed the application and it’s rebuilding a church that burned down and that’s in their rights to be able to rebuild the church,” she said.

The MCBOCC approval is contingent on the new building being less than 11,200 square feet and notes that no other structures can be built on the premises, excluding a storage shed and single-family residence which will serve as a parsonage.

Additional conditions include a 100’ “no-disturb” buffer of vegetation along the west boundary of the southern portion of the property and paved access to West Highway 326.

Sims reiterated his enthusiasm for being able to once again hold services on their grounds for the congrgration.

“I can get them to gather before there is a building. So when the building comes, they’ll already be here. So that’s a blessing,” he said.

Sims also said he appreciates any support the community would like to show as they plan for their new sanctuary.

“You know, we’re definitely open for donations towards the new building. Always.”

According to Sims, financial gifts may be given at: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2079483. By PayPal at paypal.me/bethlehemmbc, or by mail at 8750 West Highway 326 Ocala, FL 34482.