One local church is going to get a face lift after the paint company, Sherwin-Williams, donated 50 gallons of paint.  

Sardis Baptist Church Pastor Walter Dowell is looking to help revitalize the area surrounding his church and wanted the structure and appearance of the church to replicate that vision. 

“We would love to make a positive impact in the community,” Walter said. “It first starts with the church, and we are trying to get them [the community] going in the right direction.” 

Walter said he also wants to help further education and is attempting to set up an SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) program through the church. 

“We will have a facility for the kids to come and learn,” Walter said. “Charity starts at home is what scripture tells us, and that’s what we are looking to do.” 

Walter’s brother, Glenn Dowell, said that taking back the community starts with the church. 

“This is the centerpiece of this area and the first step in making the community better,” Glenn said. “This is so special, and anything you can donate we want it.”

Sherwin-Williams’ Branch Manager Dustin Sledge said that the store wants to help the community prosper.

“It takes all of us coming together as a whole to make change,” Sledge said. “We saw an opportunity and felt like this was a cause worthy to push forward.” 

The Sardis Baptist Church was established in the 1950s and hosts services the first and third Sunday of the month. Walter said he hopes to one day open it full time and also host a soup kitchen there as well.

“We appreciate the community here focusing on reopening the church as an anchor,” said LaGrange Police Department Chief Louis Dekmar. “The private partnership with Sherwin-Williams, that recognizes that investing in communities is not only good for the community, but good business.” 

Walter said the church is doing other repairs throughout the building to make it a safe place for people to come. 

“We are growing daily,” Walter said. “We want to strengthen the neighborhood. We want to create leaders, not followers. There are so many people following the wrong examples, so we want to help fix that.” 

The church is located at 1308 Lindsey Street in LaGrange and can be reached at (706) 882-7220 for more information.