Refuge Point Church, which is in the planning stage and has hosted monthly worship services in the city, has six months to purchase a downtown building and move in. If the congregation can’t find a site within six months, it will need to come back to council for re-approval.
West Point’s ordinances allow churches downtown, with council approval.
Matthew and Merinda Thrower, who will operate a coffee shop that will be open to the public inside the church, approached council in January for permission. Since then, council members say they’ve heard no complaints from downtown business owners. Downtown Development Authority Cathy Schirra said she researched other cities’ downtown churches and could find no negatives.
“This is our community and want to contribute,” Merinda Thrower told council last month.
Both are Lanett, Ala., natives, and Matthew Thrower has a degree in music from LaGrange College.
A plan put together by the couple includes a “launch budget” and fundraising plan of more than $750,000.
“For a long time we wanted to move away, but God changed our hearts and we want to move back,” she said.
In another matter Monday night, Councilman Donald Gilliam reminded residents that their higher tax bills this year aren’t a result of city action.
A homestead exemption that made taxes less for older residents was eliminated by the General Assembly, resulting in higher bills.
“I know my taxes doubled,” Gilliam said. “People are going to be voting in an election and they’re going to wind up voting against us for something we didn’t do. We didn’t raise the millage rate here in West Point.”
Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenewscom or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.
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