The demolition of a 63-year-old house of worship could now be underway after a vote by the City of Harlem Historic Preservation Commission in its meeting on Thursday evening.
Representatives from Second Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Harlem have petitioned to allow the structure at 510 S. Bell St., next to the Harlem Memorial Cemetery, to be razed.
Community Development Director David Jenkins informed the commissioners that several years ago, the congregation developed another church building on Appling Harlem Road, where it now holds services.
Roughly more than a year ago, Jenkins stated, the vacant Bell Street church began to be vandalized frequently. The church had the structure mothballed, and the windows and entrances boarded up, but the vandalism continued.
County records show the building was originally constructed in 1940, but Jenkins also noted that the current version of the structure was built in 1960.
Rev. Anthony Martin, who has been pastor of Second Mt. Moriah for some nine years, told commissioners the congregation had the building assessed, unsuccessfully endeavoring to acquire funding to have it renovated as a historical site. As such, to avoid further harm or danger at the location, the church opted to seek a certificate of appropriateness (COA) for demolition.
“After looking at all that has happened over there, and continues to happen, we just feel it’s time to cut our losses,” Martin said.
Board vice-chair Diane Holland noted the structure is among the last historic buildings left in Harlem’s Sanders Historic District. Commissioner Bill Speer inquired about the building’s columns, which Jenkins and representatives noted may have come from another historic church in Augusta, as well as the steeple and cornerstone.
Martin said the church intends to preserve them all, as well as hold a deconsecration ceremony before the building’s demolition.
The commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to allow the COA.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
